VK Malhotra pats Indian shooters

New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) Senior Vice President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) V K Malhotra today congratulated the shooters, including Abhinav Bindra, for their stellar performance in the ISSF World Cup in Zagreb, Croatia.

Mr Malhotra hailed Bindra's Gold medal in 10m air Rifle and praised the marksman as well as the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for the feat, which bettered Dr Karni Singh's Silver medal in the 1962 Cairo World Championship.

Mr Malhotra also hailed Avneet Kaur Sidhu, for booking her Beijing Olympics berth.

Also the President of the Archery Association of India, Mr Malhotra said only Samresh Jung, hero of the Commonwealth Games, remains off-colour but he has full faith in the marksman's ability.

''A total of six shooters have qualified for the Olympics but Samresh has been a slight disappointment. But with one and a half years still left, it is not unachievable for Samresh,'' he said.

He also had a word of praise for Hungarian coach Suchak Laszlo for the latter's contribution to improve the game in the country.

On the occasion, Mr Malhotra urged the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India to come forward and organise many more national camps for the shooters, besides ensuring adequate exposure for them.

UNI AY DH RN1706