Yogi adityanath govt funds up labourer’s daughter to represent india at shooting world cup

Priya Singh has made it to the ISSF Junior World Cup on a borrowed rifle. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday granted four-and-a-half-lakh rupees to 19-year-old Indian

shooter Priya Singh, to enable her to participate in the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup in Germany. Priya Singh, daughter of a Meerut labourer, has put

aside her difficulties to get shortlisted to represent India at the 50m rifle prone ISSF Junior World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Suhl, Germany this month.  Priya had made

it to the prestigious event on a borrowed rifle finishing fourth in the qualification. However, she thought that she would have to miss the championship due to lack of funds. The government

provides sponsorships to the top three qualifiers only. "When I heard of this news, I immediately granted four-and-a-half-lakh rupees in support of her. I also directed the Meerut

District Magistrate to provide all arrangements to help her to go to Germany," Yogi told ANI. "Such a promising and talented athlete should not be kept from an international

competition because of monetary issues. We extended our support for that reason. We will keep this stance in the future also so that no athlete faces any such problem and they are encouraged

to keep up the good work. I wish all the participants of the (ISSF) Junior World Cup the best and hope they get good news for the nation," he added. Director General of the Sports

Authority of India Neelam Kapur also confirmed support for Priya. "Yes, we will help her improve her scores and other facilities. We will consider providing her a rifle too," Kapur

told ANI. National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) secretary Rajiv Bhatia told Times of India, “We fully support Priya and we are helping her out with the gun permit so that she is able

to participate in the Suhl event. As far as financial assistance is concerned, our hands are tied. The government takes care of all expenses, including ammunition, for the top three

participants. The remaining ones have to take care of their travel and stay.” Priya is one of six candidates selected for the 50-meter rifle prone ISSF Junior World Cup scheduled to be held

in Suhl, Germany from June 22.  "I got this inspiration from the National Cadets Corps (NCC) when I saw children shooting there. From there, I learnt how to shoot. I have won a total of

17 medals at the state and national level. I finished in the top four in the selection trials for the Junior World Cup in Germany. I belong from a village and my dad is a labourer. So going

to Germany was beyond my financial capacity," Priya told ANI. According to Indian Express, Priya has not participated in events from 2017 since she ended her term as cadet with the

National Cadet Corps due to unavailability of a gun, With the NCC equipment, Priya had won 17 medals between 2014 and 2017, including gold in the All India National Shooting Championship in

2016 and 2017. She and her father had petitioned the Prime Minister, UP Chief Minister, district magistrate for support.