Ranchi, July 6: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Sunday conducted a surprise inspection of the Tikait Umrao Singh Shooting Range at Khelgaon in Ranchi and expressed strong dissatisfaction over the poor condition of its infrastructure, maintenance, and sports facilities.
During the inspection, the Chief Minister reviewed the condition of the 10-metre, 25-metre, and 50-metre shooting ranges, along with the maintenance of the facility, availability of modern shooting equipment, athlete safety standards, training arrangements, and other essential amenities.
He interacted with officials, sought detailed information, and issued directions to improve the overall functioning of the complex. State Sports Minister Sudivya Kumar was also present during the visit.Emphasising that Jharkhand has consistently produced talented athletes who have excelled at national and international levels, Soren said the state government is committed to providing world-class training facilities and modern sports infrastructure to nurture emerging talent.
He directed officials to strengthen the state’s training ecosystem and ensure better opportunities for athletes from rural and remote areas, enabling them to compete at national and international events.
He said sports play a vital role in developing discipline, confidence, and personality, apart from preparing athletes for competitive success.The Chief Minister instructed the Sports Department to prepare a comprehensive development plan for the shooting range and ensure its time-bound implementation.
He said all necessary resources should be made available so that athletes do not face any inconvenience during training.Soren also called for a long-term strategy to upgrade the shooting range to meet national and international standards, stating that the existing infrastructure has the potential to support athletes preparing for global competitions if maintained and modernised according to prescribed norms.
He further directed officials to improve and properly maintain the shooting equipment. During the visit, the Chief Minister also tried target shooting with a rifle and interacted with athletes to understand their training requirements and concerns.
Reviewing the facility’s safety measures, Soren instructed officials to conduct regular mock drills for fire extinguishers and fire hydrants and strengthen the CCTV surveillance system at the shooting range.Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Sports Department Secretary Mukesh Kumar, and other senior officials accompanied the Chief Minister during the inspection.
