Shooting Star gets a rousing welcome

Rajendranagar: 'Shooting Star' Abid Ali Khan, who won individual bronze medal and team gold medal in 50M Rifle Prone Men Junior in the 14th Asian Shooting Championship held in Doha, Qatar, from November 3-13, was accorded a warm welcome on his arrival at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad on Thursday.

Abid Ali Khan, along with other team members returned home on Thursday morning. Sports Minister V Srinivas Goud, Sports Authority of Telangana State chairman A Venkateshwar Reddy and other senior officials were among those who visited the airport to receive the Telangana players who participated. His family members including grandfather Dr Shahed Ali Khan, Director of Cure Well Hospital and father Dr Sabir Ali Khan, a national rifle shooter, Amer Ali Khan, Editor of Siasat Urdu Daily and others were also present.

Students of Nasr Boys School, Gachibowli, gathered in large numbers to welcome their hero and ex-school mate. They sang national anthem and gave Abid Ali Khan a heroic welcome.

Speaking to media persons at the airport, Abid Ali Khan expressed happiness over his performance in the 14th Asian Shooting Championship. He said it was a great honour to win a medal for the country and he would strive hard to improve his performance further.

He said he was happy to win Individual Bronze Medal along with a Team Gold and hold a new Asian Record (from 1 to 13 November 2019). Elaborating on his future plans, Abid Ali Khan said he would be participating in two new Olympic events, i.e., 50m 3Position and 10m Air Rifle this year. He said winning an Olympic Gold Medal for the country was his next target.

Meanwhile, Sports Minister Srinivas Goud congratulated Abid Ali Khan and other players from Telangana on their achievement in the 14th Asian Shooting Championship. He promised that the State Government would provide all facilities to the players.

Since Shooting was considered a costly game, the authorities too had little focus on it. However, with players like Abid Ali Khan bringing laurels to the State and country, the government has decided to bring a new policy to promote Shooting in Telangana State.

Abid Ali Khan completed his schooling from Nasr Boys School, Gachibowli, and is currently pursuing engineering in electronics and communication (3 year) from Deccan Engineering College. He recently bagged Gold at the XII Sardar Sajjan Singh Sethi Memorial Masters Shooting Competition in New Delhi, in the 50m Rifle Prone Junior Men's ISSF.

He started shooting at the age of 16, setting a new state record in his first state competition in 50m rifle prone junior category. Later, he won the first national medal in 300m rifle prone junior event in Delhi. His father, Dr Sabir Ali Khan, is a national shooter and was on the Indian shooting team in 2013.