Olympics 2012: Shooters aim for a London berth

Eleven-member squad take part in Doha event from tomorrow.

KARACHI:

Pakistan’s struggles to secure berths at this year’s London Olympics continue with hockey the only certain presence at the event.

But the country’s shooters aim for some good luck to come their way at the 12th Asian Shooting Championship that starts tomorrow in Doha and offers 35 slots for the London Games. This will be Pakistan’s last chance to qualify for the global event after failing to confirm their berth from the events held so far.

“We’re sending eleven shooters for the event,” the National Rifle Association of Pakistan (NRAP) Vice-President Razi Ahmad Khan told The Express Tribune. “We arranged various training camps in the last few months and I’m confident that our shooters will do well. We are targeting top-three finish but it won’t be easy because Asian shooters are the best in the world.”

Pakistan’s squad consists of Khurram Inam, Abdul Sattar Satti, Usman Sadiq, Col Asad, Col Fakhar, Ayza Tahir, Mehwish and Meshal Munir, and will be taking part in the rifle, pistol and shot gun events.

Khurram hopes to deliver a good show

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s most accomplished shooter, Khurram, who will take part in the shot gun event, was upbeat ahead of the tournament.

“We’ve worked hard and I believe that we have the potential of performing well in the contest despite tough competition,” said the Olympian.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2012.