State-of-art facility at Panvel for Olympic medal prospect

NAVI MUMBAI: Now shooter Ayonika Paul, who has consolidated her berth in the ensuing Rio Olympics, will no longer have to travel to shooting ranges across the country to hone her skills for the big event.
The existing shooting range at Karnala Sports Academy (KSA) in Panvel, run by Lakshya Shooting Club, has been upgraded with installation of 10 new megalink electronic targets in the range.The facility, owned by Suma Shirur, is now fully air-conditioned.
The state-of-the-art facility, one of the best in the country, was upgraded to ensure that Paul can prepare for Rio Olympics under her mentor. The money, Rs 50 lakh, for upgrading the facility was provided by former local MLA and KSA owner, Vivek Patil.
The Chembur resident, and trainee at KSA, is delighted to have the refurbished shooting range.
“I could not have asked for more. I can now continue to practice under my mentor to ensure that I give my best to win an Olympic medal for the country,” said Paul.
Paul qualified for the Rio Olympics after winning the silver medal at Asia Olympic qualifiers early this year by scoring 416.6 in the women’s air rifle contest.
Shirur had formed Lakshya Shooting Club to produce Olympic medal winners from Navi Mumbai. “The facility was upgraded specifically to help Ayonika prepare for the Olympics. Our athletes need to train in world class set-up,” said Vivek Patil.
Other shooters who have represented India from LSC include Tejas Karle, Neha Chaphekar and Trisha Mukherjee.