GNDU’s robust shooting programme hits bullseye
The recent gold medal winning feat of shooter Sift Kaur Samra at the ISSF World Cup has again put spotlight not only on the precision and skill of one of India’s rising shooting stars, but also on the robust sports programme that the Guru Nanak Dev University, Sift’s alma mater, offers.
Sift Kaur, a student of BPES (Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports) at GNDU, holds a world record in 50m Rifle 3 Positions.
Over last five years, GNDU has developed an inclusive, guided sports programme that targets non-traditional sports in Punjab, including shooting, archery, cycling, water sports like kayaking, besides fencing.
While other sports disciplines have yielded results in the form of medals for the university, its shooting programme remains one of the most successful in terms of international medal haul and representation at the highest level.
Three players from GNDU shooting team – Arjuna awardee Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Sift Kaur Samra and Ashi Chouksey — made it to India’s contingent to Paris Olympics last year. Five professional shooters from GNDU have represented India at the World University Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and other international sports events.
GNDU shooting coach Rajwinder Kaur said with their exceptional skill and talent, the team of highly focused shooters had put spotlight on the sport and on the university’s sports programme.
“Both Sifat Kaur and Tomar were medal aspirants before their Paris Olympics journey began as the two had secured gold at the Asian Games in Hangzhou with individual feats in their respective events. They have consistently been performing well at international events,” she said.
The GNDU had constructed a shooting range on the campus back in 2007-08, when there was none in the region except one at PAP in Jalandhar. “The range was set up on the university campus so that we could provide the facility to the shooters and prepare them for the inter-university, national and international-level competitions. It is equipped with 30 target facility and we have been nurturing sports talent by offering free boarding, lodging and training facilities to athletes,” shared Kanwar Mandeep Singh, Sports Director, GNDU, while speaking to The Tribune from Germany.
In the 2024-25 sports cycle, the university has won 16 gold, eight silver and one bronze medals at international and national levels. The university also got second runners-up position in North Zone Youth Festival and remained first runners-up in the inter-university games at national level. Among its sports achievements, GNDU shooters performance in Asian Games Hongzhau and Paris Olympics remained a highlight.
What brings rising shooters from across the country to GNDU? “It is among very few universities to offer sports programme in Bachelors and Masters, while also offering boarding and training facilities. Apart from the shooting range, we can use gymnasium, in-house physiotherapy sessions and psychological training, which are quite important in a sport like shooting,” shares Krishna Suresh Prabhu, who is pursuing Master’s in Physical education from GNDU. Prabhu hails from Mumbai and is a rising name in the field of shooting as he has represented GNDU at various national and international university games. He trains every day for two-three hours at the shooting range.
Like Krishna, the university has eight under-training athletes in shooting from states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, besides Punjab. It also provides five meals a day to the players, as per dietary requirements of the sports programme. Further, MYAS-Department Sports Science and Medicine acts as one-stop shop for sports-based counselling, physiotherapy and post-injury recovery.
With an annual budget of Rs 8-9 crore for its sports programme, GNDU now plans to offer stipend for its medal winning athletes. “We offer cash awards to our athletes who win medals at international events. We are planning to start some kind of monthly stipend to our athletes in order to encourage more youngsters, especially from Punjab, to take up sports,” said Kanwar Mandeep Singh.
Amritsar