PANAJI: Passion for rifle shooting from school days, has led Calangute-based Eldrida Fernandes to pursuing ‘shooting’ sport as her career with her decision coming at a relatively higher age in the context of that usually seen while opting for a professional pathway. Since coming across a shooting range at Mapusa and meeting Bhageshri Padloskar, a visionary woman coach and proprietor of Yash Shooting Academy, Eldrida has converted her lifelong fascination for guns into impressive scores to win the state championship and qualify for the national championship incredibly at her first-ever attempt.
After Covid-19 first wave subsided, the state shooting championship was conducted in March 2021. Eldrida, 24, topped the competition and set her sights on the preparations for the west zone all-India national qualification event that was supposed to be held in April. She was in a confident frame of mind as a camp was conducted at Yash Shooting Academy where Eldrida was getting to grips with all aspects necessary to groom her for the national level. However the qualifying event had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 second wave and that led to a frustrating 3-month lull where Eldrida could only shadow practice at home just by holding the rifle.
Finally, the qualifying competition was announced for new dates as the Covid-19 second wave came under control and Eldrida qualified for the national championship with a stunning first-attempt score of 387/400 in 10-metre Air Rifle category at the west zonal event held in Gujarat despite a health condition that made her task even more challenging.
“I was happy that I got qualified but was not happy with the score. In school, I never bothered about my exam marks, but here few points make a difference to me and my target was to score above 390! But yes, it was my first attempt and I still did it and stood at 9th position in 8th West zone shooting championship,” Eldrida, who first took lessons in the sport in 2019, told www.livenewsgoa.com.
Growing up, Eldrida was always looking for a chance to indulge in fun shooting during holiday trips to various parts of the country and beyond.
“In school, I had opted for NCC after just watching a visual clip shown by a teacher, in which a rifle was used along with some more things,” revealed Eldrida, who however had to quit NCC as her parents wanted her to focus more on her coaching classes.
However, a couple of years back when Eldrida came in contact with Bhageshri Padloskar, her life was about to change. When the shooting coach asked her about the motive, Eldrida replied immediately saying that she is in it to make it her career.
“She asked me, do you want it as fun shooting or as a sports career and I was like sports? career? how is it possible, like to start at age 22! Because, I had always heard that sports is taken up during school days; yet, without thinking or asking anyone, I said I am interested in sports career,” recollected Eldrida with a glint in her eyes.
Eldrida’s meteoric rise in Goan shooting is an inspirational story and her message to shooting enthusiasts is: “Shooting is not like other sports disciplines. I have also started at the age where I had to start working (professionaly). But, shooting is my career now, the best part of shooting is that you don’t have age limit, height restrictions or weight. I would say, it’s never too late if you are capable to try out.”
Eldrida is now looking forward to performing at the national championship, the dates for which are to be announced. She is also thrilled with the support from her parents and reveres her coach Bhageshri, who has played her role in Eldrida seemingly finding the target of her life!
