Ali Hussain, who has just turned 14, achieved this milestone in his very first attempt in the 50-metre Rifle Prone event, becoming the youngest nationally recognised renowned shooting athlete from Telangana.
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The 68th National Rifle Shooting Championship of India – 2025, held in Bhopal, emerged as one of the largest and most competitive shooting events in the country, with over 6,000 participants. Shooters included personnel from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, IAS, IPS (Civil Services), various central and state government departments, and civilian athletes, with participants ranging in age up to 75 years. The championship tested precision, discipline, and consistency at the highest national level.
Ali Hussain, along with Mairaj, Huzaifa, and Mustafa—all seniors to him—formed a team under the mentorship of Mr. Imran (Armourer & Coach) and Mr. Omar, former renowned national-level shooter and gold medallist. The entire team qualified and earned national recognition as renowned shooting athletes, marking a significant collective achievement.
Remarkably, Ali Hussain, who has just turned 14, achieved this milestone in his very first attempt in the 50-metre Rifle Prone event, becoming the youngest nationally recognised renowned shooting athlete from Telangana.
Currently an 8th-class student, Ali has successfully balanced academics, Hifz studies, and social responsibility from a young age. He has actively participated in community service, including feeding people daily and teaching children in slum areas. His upbringing has instilled strong values of discipline, focus, empathy, and perseverance, clearly reflected in his calm and mature approach to competition—shaped by the guidance and values imparted by his father and mother.
The journey, however, was far from easy. The SATS Shooting Range, where the team trained, is in such a dilapidated condition that a proper competition cannot even be conducted there. With only three electronic targets for hundreds of athletes, many of which are often non-functional, and limited ammunition availability, training posed serious challenges. Despite these constraints, the team displayed exceptional skill, focus, and sportsmanship.
Commenting on this, Asif Sohail remarked:
“Even in a range where a proper galli-level competition cannot be held, these children showed extraordinary determination and made Telangana proud.”
Ali Hussain is the son of Asif Sohail, a renowned philanthropist and internationally recognised activist, well known from Hyderabad to Delhi. He has represented India at the United Nations, worked across 21 states, and was once part of Rahul Gandhi’s team. Speaking on Ali’s achievement and the broader state of shooting sports, Asif Sohail said:
“Telangana has immense talent in shooting sports, but there is a serious lack of infrastructure and structured platforms. With proper international-standard facilities and support, our shooters can achieve medals at the global level. I urge the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the SATS Chairman to visit the training facilities and see the ground reality. With timely support, Telangana can emerge as a strong force in shooting sports.”
He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to Sandeep (SATS Coach), Kiran (General Secretary, Telangana Rifle Association), and Imran (Armourer & Coach) for their dedicated guidance and mentorship, which played a crucial role in helping Ali and several other athletes attain national recognition.
Ali Hussain’s achievement, along with his team’s success, stands as a powerful example of how discipline, perseverance, and focused training can overcome severe infrastructural challenges. Their journey continues to inspire young athletes across Telangana and highlights the urgent need for institutional support to nurture emerging sports talent.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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