Prof Sunny sets a new target

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Having accomplished his mission with the national shooting team by helping them win medals in three successive Olympics, Professor Sunny Thomas has decided to retire, but only with the intention of taking up a new task.

The Dronacharya Awardee has planned to give a new lease of life to sport in Kerala by promoting more rifle clubs and seeking the assistance of national and international shooters to train youngsters in the state.

“I was the secretary of the State association for a long time, but unfortunately the tight national schedule kept me from the activities in my State. But now I want to change it all and begin afresh,” said Professor Sunny.

The veteran, who returned to a warm reception at Nedumbassery Airport in Kochi on Wednesday night, said the proposed academies of the shooting sports foundation of India will be launched in Thiruvananthapuram soon.

Professor Sunny conceded that despite the recurring success of the national shooting team in the international circuit, the sport is yet to get widespread attention and the main reason he says is the lack of infrastructure.

“I can take the initiative of bringing acclaimed shooters to train our children, but first things first. We need proper shooting ranges and at least an adequate number of rifles. That is what I will focus on initially,” he said.

“There are allegations about my plan to start SSFI and some say I am going to run a parallel body. Such thoughts are hindering our development. My aim is to have as many clubs across the state as possible, all affiliated to the respective district associations,” he added.

Meanwhile, he rubbished talks about shooting being a rich-man’s game. He says the problem is not with the lack of rifles, but with the lack of education about the sport and its scope.

“Recently, our shooter Sidharth Babu based in Thiruvananthapuram has been held in customs clearance over an imported rifle. The boy has been running from pillar to post for over a month to get the rifle,” said Prof. Sunny.

He said that national shooter Suma Shirur has agreed to offer her coaching for children in the state capital. “Like any new project, there will be issues, but I am sure in the long run, Kerala shooters will emerge. Wait and see,” he said.