Tara Shahdeo is excited and raring to go as she gets ready to officiate as a technical official at the ISSF (International Shooting Sports Federation) World Cup which began at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi on Thursday.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has appointed the former Ranchi-based national-level shooter as one of the technical officials for the World Cup. It is for the first time Tara will be officiating in an international competition.
“”I am very excited to have been appointed as a technical official and I am looking forward to learn new things. It will also be the right exposure for me," Tara said over phone from Ranchi.
She is among 10 former shooters from India who have been appointed as a technical official for the World Cup.
A shooting coach at Jharkhand State Sports Promotion Society (JSSPS), she is flying to New Delhi this evening.
"I am leaving for the venue this evening to attend the official meeting. The competition begins on Friday morning. Thursday was earmarked for assembly of participants as well as meetings. I will be on duty at the 50 m shooting range," Tara informed.
According to her, she came back home a couple of days ago after officiating as a technical official at the East Zone Shooting Championship in Asansol. “Änd now I am required to officiate in a big-ticket event. It would be a learning curve for me," Tara said.
Tara has also officiated as a technical official at the Khelo India Games in Assam last year, All India Inter-school Games in Bihar in 2019 as well as Senior National Shooting Championship in Madhya Pradesh, also in 2019.
The ISSF World Cup was supposed to be held last year but was postponed due to the global pandemic.
It will be the first international event of 2021 for 13 of 15 Indian shooters who have already won a quota place for the Tokyo Olympics. Three hundred men and women shooters from 53 countries will be seen in action during the event which concludes on March 29. Fifty seven shooters from India are part of the World Cup.
