Grand Inauguration of National-Level ‘Venkateshwara Indoor Shooting Academy’ at Venkateshwara Institute

Youth from Western Uttar Pradesh to Receive International-Standard Shooting Training

Meerut, India: The prestigious ‘Venkateshwara Indoor Shooting Academy’ was inaugurated today at the Shri Venkateshwara University/Institute, located on the National Highway Bypass. The grand ceremony was marked by the presence of several dignitaries including the Founder-Chairman Dr. Sudhir Giri, senior IPS officer and international-level shooting athlete Mr. Amit Kumar Anand, Pro-Chancellor Dr. Rajeev Tyagi, Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Krishnakant Dave, and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha Youth President Mr. Shubham Chaudhary.

The inauguration began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by the lighting of a ceremonial lamp before the idol of Goddess Saraswati, signifying the traditional and auspicious start of the academy.

Dr. Sudhir Giri emphasized that the establishment of this state-of-the-art indoor shooting range would provide high-level training to the youth of Western Uttar Pradesh, particularly from rural regions such as Meerut and Moradabad. He noted that aspiring shooters would no longer need to travel to Delhi or other metropolitan cities to receive professional training in this otherwise expensive sport.

Addressing the gathering, senior IPS officer and shooting athlete Mr. Amit Kumar Anand highlighted the rising popularity of shooting among Indian youth. “Sports are a vital component of life,” he said. “Whether you are a student, an officer, or a businessman, sports help define your identity at personal, social, and international levels. They keep you healthy and bring both fame and financial opportunities.”

Pro-Chancellor Dr. Rajeev Tyagi praised the accomplishments of Indian women shooters such as Manu Bhaker, Rhythm Sangwan, Anu Tomar, and Suruchi Phogat, who have brought laurels to the country on global platforms. He also lauded the success of the government's initiatives, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" and the now thriving "Beti Khilao" campaign. Dr. Tyagi further acknowledged the Uttar Pradesh government's efforts to promote female participation in sports through various welfare schemes.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Krishnakant Dave reflected on the consistent achievements of Indian shooters over the past 15 years, noting their medal-winning performances in events such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, World Shooting Championships, and the Olympics.

The event was also attended by CEO Mr. Ajay Srivastava, Registrar Mr. Piyush Pandey, Shooting Coach Mr. Deepak Chaudhary, Media Coordinator Mr. Vishwas Rana, and several academicians, administrative officers, sports enthusiasts, and other distinguished guests.

With the launch of the Venkateshwara Shooting Academy, not only will interest in the sport be encouraged among youth, but it will also pave the way for the emergence of future international-level shooting champions from India.