NRAP to field elite shooters in major events to boost Olympic hopes

With an eye on securing maximum quota places for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, National Rifle Association of Pakistan (NRAP) is planning extensive international exposure for its elite shooters to prepare them for the Olympic qualifying phase, which begins late next year.

As part of this strategy NRAP will field its top three skeet and trap shooters in the Asian Shotgun Grand Prix 2025 in Kuwait from October 31 to November 8 and a strong contingent in the ISSF World Championship (Rifle/Pistol) scheduled in Cairo, Egypt, from November 6 to 18.

The shooters representing Pakistan in Kuwait include Mohammad Farrukh Nadeem, Usman Chand and rising talent Imam Haroon.

“Yes, we are sending these three to Kuwait. Usman and Farrukh have ample experience and I hope they will deliver in the event,” a senior NRAP official told Nukta.

Veteran Farrukh Nadeem, 48, a seasoned trap shooter, brings vast experience to the team. He placed 11th in double trap and 14th in trap at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games and has represented Pakistan in four Asian Championships as well as the 2024 Paris Olympics qualification event in Doha.

Usman Chand, another highly accomplished shooter, narrowly missed earning an Olympic quota in Doha last year, finishing fourth. He has also represented Pakistan in the 2014 Incheon and 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, placing 14th and 5th respectively and has participated in eight World Cups.

Imam Haroon, the youngest of the trio, finished 13th in men’s skeet at the 2024 Olympic Qualification Tournament in Doha and 36th at the 2023 Asian Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan.

Meanwhile, Pakistan will also field a robust squad in the ISSF World Championship (Rifle/Pistol) in Cairo, featuring three-time Olympian and world bronze medallist Ghulam Mustafa Bashir, Asian Games bronze medallist Kishmala Talat, Olympian Gulfam Joseph, Sulaiman Khan, Rabia Kabir and rookie shooter Mehr Khaliq.

The NRAP official confirmed that Ghulam Mustafa Bashir and Rabia Kabir have already received their Egyptian visas while others are still awaiting clearance.

“The process is a bit long. Egypt is taking extra precautions due to security concerns but I hope all will get visas soon,” the official said.

He expressed particular optimism about 18-year-old Mehr Khaliq, calling her a bright prospect for Pakistan. Mehr made an impressive debut at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent this August, finishing 18th in the 10m air rifle with a score of 627.9 among 54 participants. She also placed 18th in the 10m air rifle mixed team event, partnering with Sulaiman Khan.

Pakistan’s ace Ghulam Mustafa Bashir, 38, remains the country’s top medal hope in the 25m rapid fire pistol event. A three-time Olympian he represented Pakistan in Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024, finishing 18th, 10th, and 15th respectively. Ranked 66th in the world, Bashir is also the only Pakistani shooter to win a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championship in Cairo.

Kishmala Talat, a 10m air pistol and 25m pistol specialist, won bronze at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

“She is a solid shooter and we expect great things from her as well,” the official remarked.

Gulfam Joseph, another experienced Olympian, will compete in the 10m air pistol event and is also expected to deliver strong results.

Among the younger shooters Sulaiman Khan and Rabia Kabir will aim to improve on their recent performances in Shymkent where they finished 37th.

The team will be accompanied by Army’s Belarusian coach Vladimir Kovalenko, who previously worked with the Navy and has also trained Ghulam Mustafa Bashir. He has been in Pakistan for around a decade now.

“We need to field our shooters in as many international events as possible if we aim to secure at least four Olympic quotas this time,” the NRAP official emphasized.

In a significant boost for the sport eight Pakistani athletes have been awarded IOC scholarships, including five shooters: Kishmala Talat, Col Mohammad Farrukh Nadeem, Imam Haroon, Sulaiman Khan and Rabia Kabir.

Their 36-month scholarships will primarily support international exposure and training, a crucial step in Pakistan’s quest to establish itself as a strong contender in world shooting sports.