Olympian shooter Joydeep Karmakar today launched his shooting academy in association with the Sports Authority of India Easter Centre as a New Year gift to the budding marksmen of the state.
"I have an academy running in Dankuni but I have long wished for an academy in the city. This one will be my main centre," Karmakar, who finished fourth in 50m rifle prone event in London Olympics 2012, said.
"Former shooters like Bivabasu Ganguly, who represented India in Asian championship and Dibyendu Roy, who took part in the Colombo SAF Games (in 2006) will be trainers in my academy," he said adding that he also has plans to bring in top shooters of international repute.
"Abhinav (Bindra) is aware of my project. But because of his tight schedule, he may not come here now. I'm still chalking out a proper training module for the academy," he said.
SAI regional director Manmeet Singh Goindi has been instrumental in giving the academy a shape as a godown at the SAI Eastern Centre has been turned into a shooting range .
"Something is better than nothing... At least we started somewhere. I'm really impressed with Joydeep's dedication," Goindi told PTI.
"The godown was not in use, so when Joydeep approached us with his proposal, we decided to give it a go."
The SAI regional director however appeared unhappy as the project with state government was in limbo as he's still awaiting the five acres land which was promised to him by former sports minister Subhas Chakraborty who's no more.
"He wanted to make Bengal the base but the project is yet to start now. My mandate is to identify new talents and nurture them. I'm interested in quality not quantity.
(REOPENS DEL 23)
Heena's confidence was high as she entered the final as leader of the pack with a score of 387 in the qualification.
The other Indian participants in the women's air pistol event, young Yashaswini Deshwal and Shweta Singh finished 11th and 12th, respectively.
"I was just concentrating on the process. I knew that I was doing well. I was confident that I would win a quota today," Heena told reporters after the event.
Heena's husband Ronak Pandit, who is also her coach, was as relieved as the shooter herself.
Three ISSF World Cups will be held before the Rio Games get going in August, and Heena's preparation is going on the right track.
"There are three World Cups lined up but Heena will skip the first one. She is not a kid anymore who needs international exposure all the time," said Ronak, who chalks out her schedule.
"After SAG (South Asian Games), she will compete in Rio World Cup which is very important," he said.
Ronak said they will now focus on Heena's "technical exercise" to fine tune her game.
