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Three more shooters cleared for C'wealth Games

NEW DELHI JULY 23. Double trap shooters Maj. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Moraad Ali Khan are the latest additions to the Indian contingent for the Commonwealth Games, commencing in Manchester on Thursday.

After intense persuasion by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the Sports Ministry also cleared the double trap marksmen, and veteran pistol shooter Sheela Kanungo.

In the recently concluded World shooting championships, Rathore finished tied 12th, scoring a creditable 136 out of 150.

And, of those who performed better than Rathore, there were only two from the Commonwealth countries, Richard Faulds of Britain and Mark Russell of Australia. Rathore was just one shot behind Russell (137) who was placed ninth.

The NRAI successfully impressed upon the Sports Ministry that in such a scenario Rathore had a chance to win a medal at the Games. The shooting events will be held at Bisley, which hosted the Commonwealth championship in 2001 when India had a rich haul of medals.

Moraad Ali Khan, who shot 120 at the World meet, was tied 50th. His name has been cleared to help Rathore take part in the pairs event.

The third shooter, Sheela, has also been cleared to help Shweta Choudhary participate in the air pistol pairs event.

Initially, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had sought clearance for 30 shooters. The Sports Ministry then pruned the list to 20 after taking into consideration India's below-par performance in the World championships.

With the latest additions, the strength of Indian contingent has risen to 149. The Government had approved a 148-member contingent earlier this month of which a woman judoka and a wrestler were dropped following injuries.

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