Others

As the Indian shooting contingent embarks on its quest for glory at the Paris Olympics 2024, the parents of two promising athletes, Elavenil Valarivan and Ramita Jindal, have expressed their unwavering belief in their daughters' abilities.Elavenil, a 10m air rifle specialist, will be making her second Olympic appearance after narrowly missing out on a medal in Tokyo. Her father, R Valarivan, is confident that she has the experience and preparation to make a podium finish this time around. "She has prepared well and is stronger than ever before," he said. "We expect her to bring glory to India."Ramita, a rising star in the 10m air pistol event, has also been making waves on the international stage. Her parents, Sonika and Arvind, are equally optimistic about her chances of success. "She has been improving with every match," said Arvind. "We are confident that she will win a medal for India."The Indian shooting team has been training diligently in the lead-up to the Olympics, and the athletes have received strong support from the government and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme. The team's coaches are also confident in their abilities."The Indian shooting team is a strong contender for a medal in every category," said national coach Jaspal Rana. "Our athletes have been performing consistently at the national and international level, and they are ready to give their best at the Olympics."The shooting competition at the Paris Olympics will begin on Saturday with the 10m air rifle mixed team qualification, featuring the teams of Sandeep Singh/Elavenil Valarivan and Arjun Babuta/Ramita Jindal. The medal rounds will take place later that day. The 10m air pistol qualifiers for men and women will follow on the same day.The Indian shooting contingent is determined to make a mark at the Paris Olympics and bring home medals for the country. With the support of their families, coaches, and the nation, they are confident in their abilities to achieve their goals.

Shooting has witnessed a surge in popularity in India, thanks to the heroics of Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang. The sport has become as popular as cricket among Indian fans, and the country has secured quotas in every Olympic shooting category for the first time.However, the selection process for the Paris Olympics 2024 has been controversial. Trap shooter Bhowneesh Mendiratta, who had bagged India's first Paris quota, missed out on a berth after the national trials. Prithviraj Tondaiman was given the quota in his place.Other notable exclusions from the squad include former world champion Rudrankksh Patil, Tokyo Olympian Divyansh Singh Panwar, and Asian Games medallist Ashi Chouksey. Patil has expressed his disappointment, citing the inexperience of Sandeep Singh, who has been selected ahead of him.Gagan Narang, India's Chef de Mission for the Paris Olympics, has defended the selection process, calling it "fair" and "equal." He believes that the Covid-19 outbreak has negatively impacted India's shooters, as many lost their momentum and form.Narang has high hopes for his students, Elavenil Valarivan and Ramita Jindal, who will be representing India in Paris. He believes that they have the potential to perform well at the Olympics.Overall, India has a strong shooting contingent for the Paris Olympics. The team includes experienced shooters like Manu Bhaker and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, as well as promising young talents like Valarivan and Jindal. The team will be hoping to make a mark on the world stage and bring home medals for India.