Shooting: SAI writes to CBSE to adjust board exam dates for shooters

Sports Authority of India has written to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to allot fresh dates in two subjects in the Class XII board exams for young shooters Manu Bhaker and Vijayveer Sidhu. Both these athletes are participating in the Asian Airgun Championships in Chinese Taipei from March 25 to April 2, the dates of which coincide with the Class XII board examinations this year. This initiative by SAI, is part of the on-going efforts of the government to ensure that young athletes can balance both their sporting career and academics.Bhaker (16), who is an ace pistol shooter and is part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) would have to take her History exam on March 25 and Physical Education exam on March 30, and both these dates are coinciding with the championships. Sidhu (16), who is in the Watchlist of TOPS and has won a silver medal in the Under-21 event at the Khelo India Youth Games, too has to take his Psychology exam on March 29 and Physical Education exam on March 30. SAI was approached by the parents of both athletes to intervene and request the CBSE authorities to allot fresh dates for these exams, so that the athletes could appear in the exams and also participate in the Championships. Following the request, Sports Authority of India, has written to Anita Karwal, Chairperson, CBSE, to allow both athletes to take the exams on fresh dates. Last year too, SAI had written to CBSE with a similar request for shooter Anish Bhanwala, and he was allowed to take the Class X board exams after the event in which he was competing, got over.SAI is hopeful that the CBSE Board will allot fresh exam dates to both these shooters, since it is important that they pursue their academics along with their promising sporting career.