The fifth edition of the Winter Open Airgun Shooting Competition, organized by the Airgun Sporting Association of Nagaland (ASAN), was held at Likya Community Hall, Wokha on December 12.
A total of 30 shooters participated in the event, which featured a sequence of elimination rounds. The first round saw 10 participants eliminated, followed by five in the next, and eight in the subsequent round, leaving three shooters to contest the final. Competitors were allotted 10 bullets (100 points) in the opening round, followed by 8 (80 points), 6 (60 points), 4 (40 points), and 3 (30 points) bullets in the successive rounds.
The final round witnessed a determined performance from Benathung Ovung, who scored 29 points out of 30 to claim the championship title. Renchio Ezung secured the first runner-up position with 26 points, while Khumdemo Ngullie finished as the second runner-up with 25 points.
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The semifinalists of the competition were also awarded cash prizes, while all participants received certificates in recognition of their participation.
The organizers emphasized that the primary objective of the competition was to discourage hunting of wildlife and instead promote conservation by providing a platform for shooters to channel their skills competitively.
ASAN maintained that the sport could help identify talents capable of competing at higher levels, noting that airgun shooting does not demand the same physical attributes as other sports, which often pose challenges for Nagas.
The Association further urged youths to participate actively in such events and refrain from hunting wildlife.
Meanwhile, ASAN president Ajamo Odyuo appealed to the state government to support and promote the sport through the association, expressing optimism that such intervention would provide opportunities for talented youths in Nagaland.
Odyuo also informed that ASAN’s five-year plan had been successfully completed. He added that the association would soon unveil another five-year plan, with changes in the tournament structure to be announced after the next association meeting.
