A participant takes an aim. Picture by Manik Bose

Ranchi, March 28: Young guns are shooting for top slots.

The 6th State Shooting Championship began here today with 60 participants, some of who have already participated in national and international-level events.

Drawn from various districts of Jharkhand, the participants are now taking part in the 50m and 10m air rifle and air pistol shooting events. The finals would be held on March 30 to decide the state-level champions in the junior- boys’ and girls’ category.

Among the participants, who have already earned a name in national and international events include Akash Kumar, Hemant Kumar, Kumari Nisha and Hemlata Boon.

Akash had won a bronze in the Asian Shooting Championship last year. Hemant earned the 10th position at National Shooting Championship (2007) whereas Nisha Kumari ranked fourth in the same event.The event is being organised by Jharkhand Rifle Association (JRA).

As the JRA has only one German pistol and six Indian rifles, the 60 players participating in the event have to make adjustments.

Participants said the state should procure more equipment for the event, if it was serious to promote talent. The JRA secretary, Sanjesh Mohan Thakur, said the association would soon receive more equipment.