JJ felicitates army shooters

New Delhi, June 9 (UNI) Mission Olympics of the Army was yielding ''good results'' with the Service preparing its sportspersons for the next Olympics and other international meets, Army Chief General JJ Singh today said.

Expressing satisfaction at the ''glorious performance'' of Army personnel in the recent Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, General J J Singh hoped that besides shooting, the Army would be able to field winners in archery, long-distance running and select disciplines of athletics in various upcoming international sports competitions.

Gen J J Singh was addressing a function at the conclusion of the finals of the first shooting competitions for Army Officers -- newly instituted by the Army Chief himself -- here.

The first phase of the Competition was held at Mhow on May 24 with events in 10 metre Air Rifle and Air Pistol. In the preliminary round, a total of 47 young Army officers took part and the Jaipur- based South Western Command bagged the top team position.

This morning, the top eight shooters -- all young officers -- of the Mhow preliminaries vied for the individual positions.

Captain S S Rai of the Punjab Regiment scored 381 out of 400 and won the Gold Medal. Capt P Mathur of Rajputana Rifles won the Silver while Capt A S Rathore of the Armoured Corps bagged the bronze medal.

Gen J J Singh also gave away the Chief of Army Staff Cup for Air Pistol Competition to the winner Capt S S Rai.

Olympian Lt Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was also present on the occasion. Also present were Lt Gen Devraj Singh, Director General Infantry and Lt Gen S Yadav, Commandant, Infantry School, Mhow -- an important institution in training of shooters.

Gen J J Singh also tested his own skills and fired five rounds -- all of which hit the bull's eye.

UNI DG AK VV1743