Shares heartwarming message for young shooters
As the training sessions began for the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event at the Khelo India University Games 2021 on Thursday, Olympian Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar also appeared at the SAI Shooting Range in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The 21-year-old shooter Aishwary, who competed at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, is set to compete at the KIUG 2021 as a representative of Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar, Punjab, and is touted to be the favourite to win in his category. Before appearing for his training sessions, Aishwary praised the level of competition at KIUG 2021.
“The atmosphere at the Khelo India University Games 2021, and the level at which this tournament has been organised, is not lesser than any international competition. While competing here at KIUG 2021, I have the chance to get the experience of competing at the international level, which is always important for an athlete,” Aishwary said.
“I feel more Olympians, who are still pursuing their education in Universities, should participate in the Khelo India University Games each year, as they will get a chance to learn something new. Every competition matters to me, and hence, I decided to participate here to gain more experience,” he added.
Speaking on how competing at the KIUG 2021 and the Khelo India scheme will help a grassroots level athlete, Aishwary said, “An athlete at the grassroots level receives an opportunity to compete at a national-level tournament against some of the best players in the country. This is a good opportunity for them. This competition will help them to reach international levels.”
Union Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs, Shri Anurag Thakur, during his speech at the KIUG 2021 had asked experience athletes to speak to youngsters and share their wealth of knowledge. On being asked about the same, Aishwary said he is surely looking forward to speaking to the young shooters and will advise them in whatever areas they wish to speak to him about.
“If someone approaches me and speaks to me, I am definitely looking forward to speaking to them. I may help them and give some useful tips, which they can use in their careers,” he added.
The experienced shooter, who won a Gold medal in 50m Rifle 3 Positions at the 2021 ISSF World Cup in New Delhi, and also bagged a Silver and Bronze in 10m Air Rifle Men’s Team and 50m Rifle 3 Positions Mixed Team, respectively, at the same event, further gave a message for the budding shooters who will be competing at the Khelo India University Games this year.
“To the beginners, I would like to give the message that they need not fear failures. They need to learn from them and focus on recovery. A beginner shooter must set a goal and then give 100 percent to pursue the goal, irrespective of the ups and downs they may face in their careers,” Aishwary signed off.
