Shooters aim for improved show
Mar 16, 2006
FOR many people used to watching films, shooting looks pretty straightforward. It often looks very easy, but, it isn’t.<br>The perception that it is all very easy disappears when you come face to face with a shooter.
By Samson Opus
FOR many people used to watching films, shooting looks pretty straightforward. It often looks very easy, but, it isn’t.
The perception that it is all very easy disappears when you come face to face with a shooter.
For a start, team manager Michael Mungooma who boasts of wealth of experience after 25 years of service in Uganda Police Force, recommends a high degree of discipline for success.
The sport has simple but strict rules. One rule for example is one must abandon taking coffee. Alcohol is completed prohibited if you are to rise in the ranks of a sport that requires a lot of concentration and strong arms.
Apart from rigorous exercise, one also needs a lot of money for the right attire.
“The shooting jacket (a very stiff outfit) is part of the discipline. Its stiffness helps to support and balance the gun†Mungooma noted.
A bare minimum of sh6m is required for a complete set of shooting attire that includes a stiff jacket, trouser and boots.
“And you have to practice a lot by firing as many times as possible, which translates to a lot of money,†he adds, amidst the cracking sound as he cocked a SLR rifle.
Uganda is to be represented at the Commonwealth Games by only two shooters, Ahmed Mussawir and Cleopatra Mungooma.
The pair will be accompanied by Mungooma a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police. Both shooters share a wealth of experience have been together at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
Muwir, 38 whose average is 560 points is currently in London from where he is expected to connect to Australia.
‘Iron Lady’ Mungooma, 20, has been practising locally and will compete in the Small Bore contest. Her highest score is 580 points and her best achievement was coming second at the 7th Africa championships in 2003.
Since taking up the sport 10 years ago, Cleopatra Mungooma has not stopped firing.
The distance between Mungooma and a medal will be a 50m range in Prone Position (shooting while lying down).
At another 50m, Mungooma will also vie for honour in 3p (Three position) category involving prone, standing and in kneeling.
The distance may look short, but for a 0.22 calibre bullet, getting the right target require more than pin-point accuracy.
The heavily built shooter hopes to better her 560 points at the last games .
“I am prepared to bring home a medal. That is what they should expect, God willing†Mungooma vowed.
Uganda has currently 40 shooters registered with Uganda Shooters Federation.
FOR many people used to watching films, shooting looks pretty straightforward. It often looks very easy, but, it isn’t.
The perception that it is all very easy disappears when you come face to face with a shooter.
For a start, team manager Michael Mungooma who boasts of wealth of experience after 25 years of service in Uganda Police Force, recommends a high degree of discipline for success.
The sport has simple but strict rules. One rule for example is one must abandon taking coffee. Alcohol is completed prohibited if you are to rise in the ranks of a sport that requires a lot of concentration and strong arms.
Apart from rigorous exercise, one also needs a lot of money for the right attire.
“The shooting jacket (a very stiff outfit) is part of the discipline. Its stiffness helps to support and balance the gun†Mungooma noted.
A bare minimum of sh6m is required for a complete set of shooting attire that includes a stiff jacket, trouser and boots.
“And you have to practice a lot by firing as many times as possible, which translates to a lot of money,†he adds, amidst the cracking sound as he cocked a SLR rifle.
Uganda is to be represented at the Commonwealth Games by only two shooters, Ahmed Mussawir and Cleopatra Mungooma.
The pair will be accompanied by Mungooma a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police. Both shooters share a wealth of experience have been together at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
Muwir, 38 whose average is 560 points is currently in London from where he is expected to connect to Australia.
‘Iron Lady’ Mungooma, 20, has been practising locally and will compete in the Small Bore contest. Her highest score is 580 points and her best achievement was coming second at the 7th Africa championships in 2003.
Since taking up the sport 10 years ago, Cleopatra Mungooma has not stopped firing.
The distance between Mungooma and a medal will be a 50m range in Prone Position (shooting while lying down).
At another 50m, Mungooma will also vie for honour in 3p (Three position) category involving prone, standing and in kneeling.
The distance may look short, but for a 0.22 calibre bullet, getting the right target require more than pin-point accuracy.
The heavily built shooter hopes to better her 560 points at the last games .
“I am prepared to bring home a medal. That is what they should expect, God willing†Mungooma vowed.
Uganda has currently 40 shooters registered with Uganda Shooters Federation.