Udhayanidhi Stalin opens world-class shooting academy at Guru Nanak College

Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, inaugurated Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Complex and Saragarhi Shooting Academy, at Guru Nanak College

Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, inaugurated Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Complex and Saragarhi Shooting Academy, said to be one of the most advanced and world-class shooting ranges in India, at Guru Nanak College in Chennai.

The Saragarhi Shooting Academy comprises of 24 firing lanes of 50-Metre, 28 firing lanes of 25-Metre and 40 firing lanes of 10-Metre Shooting Ranges. In his address, Udhyanidhi Stalin congratulated the college on setting up the most modern facility for a sport like shooting in Chennai and announced that the Shooting Academy will be the site for all the shooting competitions that would be organised as part of the Khelo India Para Games that are slated to begin on January 19, 2024.

Udhyanidhi Stalin congratulated the college on setting up the most modern facility for a sport like shooting in Chennai

Udhyananidhi Stalin also recalled the old connection that his family has had with the Guru Nanak College, saying that his grandfather M Karunanidhi had laid the foundation stone of the college in 1971, while his father Chief Minister M K Stalin had laid the foundation stone for the Academy last year.

“I never imagined that one day I would be coming to this college as a chief guest to inaugurate such a state-of-the-art facility,’’ he told the gathering amidst loud cheering.

Stalin congratulated the management of Guru Nanak College on creating world-class sports infrastructure and said that it was completely aligned with the policies of the Tamil Nadu government to promote sports amongst the state’s youth.

(L-R) Swati Paliwal, Marlene Morais, Gurneet Singh Khanuja, Manjit Singh Nayar, Chief Guest, Atulya Misra, A Amalraj IPS, J Megnathan Reddy, Member Secretary, Rajinder Singh Bhasin, President GNES

“I have recently visited Odisha and saw the sports infrastructure there, which is said to be one of the best in the country. But seeing this academy and shooting range, I can confidently say this is far better and perhaps the best shooting range in the whole country,’’ Stalin told Media India Group.

“Our government is very focused on providing all that is needed by our youth in order to develop their talent and live up to their potential in various sports and when colleges like GNC join in the effort, it makes our job that much simpler and more widespread,’’ Stalin added.

At the inauguration of the Sports Academy GNES, General Secretary and Correspondent, Manjit Singh Nayar welcomed the Chief Guest and highlighted his association with the Government of Tamil Nadu and the benevolent services extended by the GNES for the benefit of all.

At the inauguration of the Sports Academy GNES, General Secretary and Correspondent, Manjit Singh Nayar welcomed the Chief Guest

“As part of our college’s efforts to make the best facilities for all-round development of the college, we have undertaken this initiative and I am very proud to say that it has been constructed within the short span of a year,’’ Nayar said in his welcome address.

“Since shooting is an expensive sport that is not accessible to all, we have set it up and it is open to all, amateurs and professionals alike. And if we see particularly talented students in this, we will adopt them for nurturing their talent properly,’’ he said.

He announced that the college had already produced a rich crop of sports persons who have represented not just the state of Tamil Nadu, but also represented India at various international sports competitions and won medals for the country.

He also announced that as part of Phase II of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Academy, the college would develop squash courts, especially in view of the inclusion of the sport in the Olympic Games from the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

In her address, Marlene Morais, Advisor of Guru Nanak College thanked the chief guest for being present for the inauguration of the Academy despite the challenging times that the state has been facing.

“We at Guru Nanak College have always believed that sports are an important part of the all-round development of students and hence we lay a lot of emphasis and invest significantly in providing the best-possible sports infrastructure for our students, who appreciate these facilities a lot and who also then excel at various sports, making our investment all that much more worthwhile,’’ she said.

Situated on the campus of the Guru Nanak College at Velachery, the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Complex and Saragarhi Shooting Academy is part of the noble mission of Guru Nanak Educational Society, to provide not just quality education but also world-class facilities in sports and other co-curricular activities to ensure all-round development of all students and allow them to discover their passions and talents in academics and beyond.

Phase II of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Complex will include facilities for Squash, Badminton, Table Tennis, Snooker, Chess, and Gymnasium

Despite being one of the best and most high-tech facilities in the country, the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Complex and Saragarhi Shooting Academy has been built in a record time. The foundation stone for this Academy was laid by Chief Minister M K Stalin, during Guru Nanak College’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations, barely a year ago. 

The Saragarhi Shooting Academy comprises 24 firing lanes of 50 M, 28 firing lanes of 25 M, 40 firing lanes of 10 M Shooting Ranges. 

In a press statement, the college says that safety considerations for the shooting ranges include features like RCC baffles and rubber wood panels for anti-ricochet properties, as well as rear-end RCC walls and trenches for target changes.

Air-conditioned 10m shooting ranges prioritise shooter comfort and are acoustically protected to minimise distractions. Provisions for technological advancements have been incorporated into all shooting targets and points.

Live capturing and display provisions for shooting events, including scorecards, are integrated for spectators using camera and monitor setups. A suitably sized strong room stores arms and ammunition, catering to the needs of the shooting activities based on the number of ranges.

The facility also includes air-conditioned office spaces for range officers, their teams, and the coaches. An air-conditioned 100-capacity training room with advanced projection facilities supports shooting and other sports-related training events.

In addition to those mentioned above, an air-conditioned gymnasium is provided for warm-ups and training of athletes. The first floor comprises air-conditioned office spaces connected to the entire sports complex, a state-of-the-art 20-seater boardroom, a 100-seater canteen with kitchen facilities, and terrace spaces housing squash courts, badminton courts, gallery facilities, and indoor games areas. Upon completion of expansion plans, the complex aims to be a unique educational facility in the country.

The Saragarhi Shooting Academy (SSA) stands out as one of India’s premiere shooting academies, boasting top-notch facilities and services. With ISSF-certified coaches specialising in pistol and rifle disciplines, the academy ensures top-tier guidance for aspiring shooters. Additionally, SSA houses an array of experts including yoga masters, psychologists, physiotherapists, gun testing facilities, SCATT training provisions, and secure locker facilities for weapons. The academy prides itself on providing world-class air pistols, air rifles, firearms, and ammunition, offering shooters the tools to foster champion-level skills and achievements.

Phase II of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Complex will include facilities for Squash, Badminton, Table Tennis, Snooker, Chess, and Gymnasium.