Meghalaya holds first-ever skeet shooting camp in Garo Hills, scouting talent for the 39th National Games
Tura, July 26: The crack of shotgun fire echoed through the hills of Tura on Saturday, but the only targets were clay discs streaking across the sky. In a first for Garo Hills, aspiring shooters took aim at flying targets during Meghalaya’s maiden shotgun skeet shooting practice, as the state began hunting for talent ahead of the 39th National Games.
The one-day camp, organised by the West Garo Hills District Shooting Association at Edenbari under its Shotgun Talent Search Programme, introduced participants to one of the world’s most demanding shooting disciplines, where split-second reflexes and pinpoint accuracy determine success.
For many of the participants, it was their first experience handling a shotgun in a competitive sporting environment.
Speaking to Hub News, Association President Proley M. Sangma said 26 participants from different parts of Meghalaya registered for the programme on a first-come, first-served basis. The camp also drew officials from the Deputy Commissioner’s Office and the Police Department, while six women signed up, reflecting a growing interest in the sport.
Although only 15 participants, including one woman, attended the practical session, organisers said the turnout was enough to identify promising talent. After a classroom briefing at Don Bosco School, participants headed to the range where they fired at fast-moving clay targets under the supervision of experienced trainers and the Association’s secretary, who travelled from Shillong to conduct the programme.
The camp also doubled as a selection trial for Meghalaya’s National Games squad. Eight participants will be shortlisted for advanced coaching, from which four shooters will eventually be selected to represent the state in shotgun skeet shooting at the National Games. The next phase of training is expected to be held in North Garo Hills.
Sangma said the association wants to establish a strong foundation for shooting sports in Garo Hills, even though the discipline remains one of the most expensive because of the cost of firearms, ammunition and regular training.
“We want to identify talented shooters from Garo Hills and allow them to compete at the highest level. Shooting is an expensive sport, but we hope more youngsters will come forward as facilities gradually improve,” Sangma told Hub News.
The camp marks the first organised skeet shooting programme in Garo Hills and comes as Meghalaya expands its sporting ecosystem ahead of hosting the 39th National Games. For a region where football, athletics and archery have traditionally dominated, the introduction of shotgun skeet shooting opens the door to a new arena of sporting competition—and perhaps, the state’s next National Games medal hopefuls.
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