This world class shooting range has nothing official about it

Mumbai's legendary Shivaji Park has been the cradle that8217;s nurtured many a sporting genius in the country.

Mumbai8217;s legendary Shivaji Park has been the cradle that8217;s nurtured many a sporting genius in the country. The grounds now share in another bit of sporting folklore8212;as home to probably the first ever, privately-funded shooting range in the country.

With Rs 20 lakh from Savarkar Samarak Trust, and donations, the Swatantrya Veer Savarkar Air Rifle Club has built an international standard state-of-the-art facility. The range boasts of cutting-edge equipment like a German-imported automatic target changing system, a fully air-conditioned nine-lane shooting range plus an infra-red bullet-trajectory monitor. There is even a spacious classroom with a blackboard for theoretical lessons to boot.

It8217;s an initiative that is inspired by the Melbourne Commonwealth Games gold rush. One that is in total contrast to the usual tale of players and officials waiting endlessly for government aid or corporate backing to pursue their dreams.

8216;8216;The sport has witnessed tremendous growth in the country. But sadly, upgrading infrastructure has been totally ignored. And that8217;s exactly the reason we decided to something on our own,8217;8217; says Ranjeet, grandson of the legendary freedom fighter.

While Ranjeet took care of the financial aspect, multiple national champion and chief coach of the range Vishwajit Shinde ensured that the funds were utilised judiciously. Shinde, a 36-year-old Western Railway employee who holds as many as six national records, feels Indian shooters are increasingly being respected and feared at international competitions and should be provided the best of facilities.

8216;8216;There8217;s an abundance of talent in the country. If we complement talent with good infrastructure, results are bound to show. We hope the Maharashtra Rifle Association MRA takes a leaf from our book and revamps their own range,8217;8217; Shinde says.

His sentiments are echoed by rifle shooter Suma Shirur, who has equalled the world mark in 10-metre air rifle during the Asian Shooting Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 8216;8216;The sport is growing in popularity. The range at MRA is in shambles. They really need to act on it fast,8217;8217; she says. 8216;8216;They should learn a lesson or two from the people behind the Savarkar range. It8217;s a marvel created with limited resources.8217;8217;

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It8217;s not just international stars like Shirur but even next-generation shooters like 13-year-old Minit Shah hail the new facility. 8216;8216;I used to train at the MRA range, but ever since this range has been revamped, I8217;ve shifted base,8217;8217; says Shah, who took to the sport a year ago.

Secretary of the MRA Ashok Pandit admits that the Savarkar range meets international standards but adds that the state body too is looking to modernise its range.