Bezawada.co.in

City shooters G. Vijaya Parthasaradhy and G. Chaitanya, the brother-sister duo, have added a new dimension to their training module. Henceforth, they will be practising with the help of a simulator, an electronic gadget that enables them to analyse their shot, the mistakes they commit and the ways and means to improve their performance.

The motto

Vijay, 21, and Chaitanya, 24, who take part in the 10-metre peep-sight air rifle event, have shifted their base to Hyderabad to practise in the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh's shooting range at University of Hyderabad with the singular motto of making it big in the sport.

“The simulator is called SCATT and has been created for the Russians to fulfil their coaching requirements. The aiming trajectory displayed on the screen of the computer or a laptop provides complete information about the accuracy of aim and errors made before and during shooting,” says Vijay, who took part in four senior nationals and in the Guwahati National Games representing Andhra Pradesh.

An electronic optical sensor is fixed to the barrel of the weapon. “On activating the weapon trigger, the point of impact is displayed on the laptop. The performance of the shooters can be recorded for analysis,” he explains.

Thanks to the Andhra Cricket Association's policy of encouraging other sports by contributing funds, the shooting duo could get the advanced gadget worth Rs. 2 lakhs. “The new advanced German gun Feinwerkbau P-700 worth Rs. 2 lakhs was also donated by ACA secretary G. Ganga Raju,” Vijay says with gratitude.

No coaching support

But the going is not all that smooth for the brother and sister, as they are learning the nuances of shooting all by themselves with the AP Shooting Association offering no coaching support.

“The association allows us to participate in competitions but we have to take care of the training aspect. Top shooters abroad practise along with professional coaches and it involves huge money,” he points out.

Another problem the duo faces is dearth of pellets for regular practice. “Many a time we run short of pellets. A box of 500 pellets costs Rs. 800 and while practising for a major event we end up emptying 30 boxes in a month,” the young shooter says.

Notwithstanding the lukewarm show by Indian shooters in the ongoing Guangzhou Asian Games, Vijay expresses confidence that more and more corporate outfits would come forward to sponsor talented young shooters in the country.