Sheikh Salman inaugurates 11th Asian Youth Training and Coaching Camp in Colombo

His Excellency Sheikh Salman Al Sabah, the President of the Asian Shooting Confederation (ASC), officially declared open the 11th Asian Youth Training and Coaching Camp – Air Rifle – 2023 at the Mt. Lavinia Hotel last Tuesday, in which 11 member nations are participating. Accompanying ASC President Sheikh Salman Al Sabah, ASC Secretary General Eng. Duaij Al Otabi, and ASC ExCo member H.E. Pushpa Das.

The colourful opening ceremony commenced with the welcoming of the ASC President, Secretary General, and ExCo member to the beat of Kandyan drums, dancers and the lighting of the traditional oil lamp. A welcome speech from the President of National Shooting Sport Federation of Sri Lanka (NSSF) Shirantha Peries, followed by traditional dancing and drumming entertainment, presentation of mementos and the vote of thanks by Lt. Col. (Rtd.) Janaka Ritigahapola, the Vice President, Rifle of NSSF, completed the evenings proceedings.

The eight-day programme which commenced on June 20, will continue until June 28 with over 40 athletes and coaches taking part in the first-of-its-kind event to be held in Sri Lanka. The ASC has vested NSSF, headed by Shirantha Peries to coordinate and conduct this programme, which will undoubtedly help the 15 participants from Sri Lanka to whom this is the first time such an opportunity in Sri Lanka has presented itself.

“I express my deep appreciation to the leadership and officials of the NSSF in Sri Lanka for their hard work and cooperation in preparing and assisting the Asian Shooting Confederation to continue in running this exceptional project for the development of the sport across the region and beyond,” stated Sheikh Salman Al Sabah during his opening remarks.

The training programmes are conducted by Deepak Kumar Dubey from India, who is a world renowned coach and trainer in the Olympic Shooting Sport of Air Rifle. His focus will be on this discipline and he will impart his knowledge to the 42 participants – 22 athletes and 20 coaches – from 11 countries. Dubey is an experienced coach and this will be a valuable and good opportunity to improve the shooting and coaching techniques of all participants.

“The ASC is committed to promote shooting amongst youngsters from the region, and our ambition is to produce more medal winners at the top level,” asserted ASC President, outlining the purpose of such camps is to develop youth and junior athletes as well as national coaches from member Asian countries.

The opening ceremony was graced by H.E. Sheikh Salman Al Sabah (ASC President), Engr. Duaij Al Otaibi (ASC Secretary General), H.E. Pushpa Das (ASC ExCo member), Shirantha Peries (President, NSSF), Pradeep Edirisinghe (Secretary General, NSSF), Deepak Kumar Dubey (Instructor of the 11th Asian Youth Training Camp and Coaching Course), Lt. Col. (Rtd.) Janaka Ritigahapola (Vice President – Rifle, NSSF), DIG (Rtd.) Gamini Walgama (Vice President – Pistol, NSSF), Mohan Gilbert (Vice President – Shotgun, NSSF), D.M.P.B. Dassanayake (Vice President – Coaching, NSSF­), Dallas Martenstyn (Chairman – Technical Committee, NSSF), Lt. Cdr. Naveen Pathmarathna (Chairman – Judges Committee, NSSF), Capt.(Rtd.) Harsha Weerasooriya, Dinesh Lionel (Secy. Shotgun) Flt.Lt. Ashan Herath and participants from the 11 Asian countries.

The programme continues with daily theoretical and practical sessions at an air rifle shooting range with eight electronic target lanes specially designed for the event at the Mt. Lavinia Hotel.

Source of news: sundaytimes.lk