Ace Pakistani shooter Kishmala's career hangs in the balance

Kishmala Talat has emerged as Pakistan’s golden girl in shooting especially after she won a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol event in the Hangzhou Asian Games last year. This was the first ever shooting medal from Pakistan in its Asian Games history.

Later, she also directly qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, Kishmala was not able to make it to the finals despite a fine effort in the 10m air pistol at the most competitive environment. She also featured in the 25m pistol event and finished overall at the 22nd spot.

However, the future of Pakistan's talented shooter hangs precariously in the balance. A graduate of the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), she faces a daunting decision: continue pursuing her passion for shooting or seek higher education abroad to secure a more stable future. The lack of a stable job has cast a shadow over her sporting career, leaving her at a crossroads.

She belongs to Army family. Her father is a retired havildar while her mother is a serving Major in the Pakistan Army. The Rawalpindi-based is supported by Army in shooting but she is yet to get a job offer from this department which has been playing a major role in the development of Pakistan’s sports.

Her Paris Olympics journey was mainly backed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) scholarship. She seems more committed to serve Pakistan in shooting provided she gets a job. If she does not get it, still she is committed to serve the country after having little of break in order to pursue her further studies. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics cycle in sight, it’s a decisive phase for Kishmala to get a breakthrough relating to her job.

“Right now, if we look so my degree has been completed, but still I am looking for a permanent job. But if I am unable to get a permanent job through my organization then it will create big issues for me as far as sustaining my shooting career is concerned. Until 2024 Paris Olympics, I had carried both shooting and studies side by side which was a tough thing to do but despite that I pulled off medals and also qualified for the Paris Olympics,” Kishmala told Nukta in an interview.

“Further if I aim for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics then it is important for me to train incessantly and I have a permanent job. If Army offers me a job, then it will be fine as it has shooting set up and international coach but if I don’t have a job then you cannot continue an extra activity with your career. It’s very important to have an income source,” Kishmala said.

“If I don’t get a job then I will have to plan for further studies and for that I even can go off-shore. I am waiting for Army and if it offers me a permanent job then it will help me sustain my shooting career. There are athletes who either serve Army on contract or on permanent basis but I neither am on contract nor I have a job and I only represent Army,” she said.

“The IOC scholarship helped me feature in the international events leading up to the Paris Games. Elite athletes in shooting abandon this sport because they face career issues. There is no doubt that Army is backing us in training and we get the latest ammunition, weapon and even coach is foreigner and we are working with them for the last four years,” she said.

Support from Army

She also said that Army is providing everything to her like weapon, ammunition, transportation and accommodation since shooting is an expensive sport.

Kishmala also said that she will continue to represent Pakistan even if she moves abroad.

“Definitely I aim to represent Pakistan. Even still I am waiting if I get a sort of job which could help me and if things don’t take a turn, then I may go abroad for studies and after completing Masters there I may come again and start shooting so there are different possibilities,” Kishmala elaborated.

Kishmala is hopeful of securing a medal for Pakistan in the 2028 Games.

“From what I have experienced, it is crucial that the coach which trains you remains with you and guides you till the final match. If you don’t face any changes then there is a hope that we can get medal,” she said.

Kishmala's remarkable shooting journey began in Jhelum in 2015, where she swiftly made a name for herself. Just two months into her training, she made her national debut and claimed a bronze medal. Since then, Kishmala has consistently broken records and excelled across youth, junior, and senior categories simultaneously, demonstrating her exceptional talent and dedication. Now, as a full-fledged senior athlete, she continues to build on her impressive legacy.