MUMBAI: “It’s beautiful now, is it not” was the answer from the acclaimed Arjuna Award and Dronacharya Award winner Suma Shirur while responding to a question on what’s in store for Indian shooting in the immediate future. Suma was obviously referring to the wonderful feats of India’s shooters – Pistol and Rifle – in recent times at the Paris Olympics, Paralympics and international meets.
Suma and Maharashtra’s other two famous women achievers in shooting – as player and then as coach – Anjali Bhagwat and Deepali Deshpande were bestowed the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM) Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 at the Bombay Gymkhana and Sony Sports Network supported event at the Bombay Gymkhana on World Sports Journalists Day on July 2.
Suma, Anjali and Deepali said that their growth as players and coach has virtually run parallel with the current crop of sports journalists in Mumbai.
Deepali, the coach of the bronze medal winner in the 50m trifle 3 positions at the Paris Olympics, said there is plenty of talent in shooting and Anjali said the shooters in pistol and rifle – thanks to the support from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) – are better equipped and better prepared today to compete in international events.
The SJAM also honoured cue sport legend Michael Ferreira, table tennis stalwart, the biggest donor to OGQ and its director and co-promoter of the Ultimate Table Tennis league, Niraj Bajaj, the former badminton star and coach Sanjay Sharma, chess GM Pravin Thipsay, former cricketers Ravi Shastri and Shubhangi Kulkarni and the hockey stalwarts Mervyn Fernandis and Joaquim Carvalho.
A specially designed Crystal Trophy, a memento and an SJAM cap was presented to the awardees by India sports persons and coaches like Devendra Joshi, Aparna Popat, Vandana Rao-Carvalho, Raghunandan Gokhale, Anupama Gokhale, Bhagyashree Thipsay, Kamlesh Metha, administrators, Ratnakar Shetty (former BCCI official) Ajinkya Naik (president, Mumbai Cricket Association), Sanjiv Saran Mehra (president, Bombay Gymkhana) and Kaumudi Naithani,
Associate Vice President- public relations- SONY Sports Network.
The Bombay Gymkhana – in its sesquicentennial year – hosted the function for the second year running. It’s president Sanjiv Saran Mehra spoke about the Gymkhana’S legacy over a long period of time and how it has remained a sports institution.
