Range remains incomplete, shooting postponed

Nepalgunj, April 19

A day after swimming was shifted to a hotel facility due to delay in construction of pool inside the Nepalgunj Stadium, the organisers postponed shooting for a day.

The National Shooting Championship was scheduled to start on Friday at the new facilities inside the Nepalgunj Stadium. But the players and officials of the sport were stunned as the range was not ready to host the event.

“We were supposed to start the game this morning but we were forced to postpone the event as the organisers failed to complete the works,” said Pradeep Khati, Chief Coach of Shooting and also the venue in-charge.

“All the attention was on the opening ceremony and the organisers shifted technicians and engineers in the preparation of the main stadium,” Khati added. Khati hoped to get the venue by this evening and manage a pre-tournament round for the shooter. “If we get the venue completed by this evening, we will let the players for a round and organise the tournament from tomorrow.”

Khati was also not satisfied with the new facility. “As per the international rules and regulations of the sport, shooters need to wear heavy attires especially in 10m events. But the facility here does not have air conditioning and it is going to be a big problem for players as we are organising the game in hot weather conditions,” said Khati. “And the players will not be able to concentrate because of the echo sound in the hall.”

Olympian and Nepal Police Club shooter Fulmaya Kyapchhaki was furious over the incomplete facility. “It’s been four days since we arrived in Nepalgunj but we have not been able to hold our kits let along have a practice round,” said Kyapchhaki. “The situation is pathetic as the venue does not even have the curtains and fans. There are problems in lighting and we are going to face a lot of problems in performing to our potential,” she added.

Kyapchhaki was happy to get a new range but she was not satisfied with the management aspect. “It’s good that we got a new range. But it’s horribly managed. We even cannot stay inside the range because of the hot weather conditions and we are supposed to play with shooting dresses. I don’t think the shooters can perform to their potential under these conditions. The players are already frustrated as we are expected to give our best in such a pathetic condition,” she added.