Manipur's Saini eyes on Beijing Olympics
Source: Atom Samarendra - 14:00 IST

Imphal, April 20: Inspired by the Athens silver medallist RS Rathore, N Saini of Manipur set eyes on the Beijing Olympics 2008 to represent India in shooting discipline.

Nongthombam Saini, who has been selected to represent India in junior international shooting championship to be held in Germany during May 2 and 8 and Olympics Hopes shooting championship to be held in Czekoslovakia during May 30 and June 5, became the first international shooter from the soil of sports powerhouse Manipur.

Ace Shooter Nongthombam Saini

Grown up from a shooting family, Saini said she will leave no stone unturned to show best performance in the said championships to pave her way for qualifying in the forthcoming Beijing Olympics in shooting discipline.

National Rifle Association of India selected Saini to represent India in the above two championships in spot rifle prone 50.22 meter category during the trial selection held in New Delhi from March 28 to April 4.She will join the final coaching camp in New Delhi tomorrow.

Lauding the sterling performance of RS Rathore in the Athens Olympics, Saini said taking Rathore as idol she would try to take the footsteps of Rathore to represent India in the Beijing Olympics and bring laurels for the country.

Her shooting career began in the year 2000 when her father and national level shooter trained her.

Her mother Ashangbi and elder sister Indrashini who have both represented Manipur in different national level championship encouraged her a lot, Saini said.

Her latest achievement was in 48th national shooting championship held at Indore during October 5 to 15 last year wherein she managed to win a silver medal, Saini said.

Even as the game of shooting was introduced in Manipur as early as in 1951 with the formation of Manipur Rifle Association, it could not produced good shooter of international standard till date.

For the first time, Manipur shooters participated in the national championship held in 1973 where md Rehman bagged bronze medal.

Saini's mother Ashangbi created national record in national championship held in Chandigarh in 1975.After a gap of 10 years the game was revived in 1985.