Bhubaneswar: The Birla Gagan Narang High Performance Centre in Shooting, set up by Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation in partnership with Department of Sports and Youth Services, Odisha, and Aditya Birla Group, has commenced its operations in the city, under the banner ODISHA TALENT ADOPTION PROGRAM (OTAP).
Under OTAP banner ‘Talent Identification’, which started in Nov 2019 is currently being carried out across schools in Bhubaneswar. Various meta cognitive and physical tests are being conducted to identify naturally talented children for the sport of shooting in the age group of 11-14. The tests include, BMI, 3D Coordination, Muscle Strength, Finger Dexterity, Finger Tapping, Reaction Time, Adaptive Matrices Test, DTKI – reactive stress tolerance and Two Hand Coordination.
1500 children till now have undergone the scientific tests which has been carried out in Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Aditya Birla Public School & DAV School. Currently the tests are being carried out in Mothers Public School.
A total of 4000 children from various schools of Bhubaneswar will undergo Talent Identification test under OTAP out of which a total of 200 children will be selected, who will undergo the fully funded training under the program at the new built 10M Shooting Range at Kalinga Stadium to prepare for State & National Competitions in 2020.
Founder Director, Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation, Gagan Narang said, “The Talent Search is being conducted in two stages where the students in the age group of 11-14 are being tested for various Meta cognitive & physical attribute skills, required for the sport of shooting like hand eye coordination, body balance, stress handling, 3D space coordination etc. Those students who clear these tests successfully would be finally introduced to the sport of shooting. Till now we have covered approx.
1500 students from various schools and are confident of the talent pool available. The focus for this group of children who joins us this year and next is 2028 Olympics”
The talent identification test protocol carried out across schools in Bhubaneswar, have been devised by Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation over the past 6 years. Children selected through the talent identification tests process have been giving incredible results at national & international stage. Air Rifle Women world rank no. 1 shooter, Elavenil Valarivan was identified after she underwent similar
talent identification process 5 years ago amongst many others.
Talking about their association with the Shooting High Performance Centre, Mr. Suryakant Mishra, Chairman, Utkal Alumina International Limited. Aditya Birla Group said, “This association allows us to give an opportunity for aspiring and talented children of the State to build a career in the field of shooting sports. In coming years, Odisha will add many names of shooters to its growing list of achievers from India. Our aim is to make advanced sporting facilities for these young Indian Shooters to help them achieve their dreams.”
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