LAHORE: Pakistan’s accomplished shooter Mohsin Nawaz has called for swift investment in the sport, saying the country has considerable talent that needs proper facilities and institutional support to excel in international competitions.

Talking exclusively to Dawn on Tuesday, Mohsin said shooting ranges were available only in cantonment areas, adding similar facilities needed to be developed in civilian areas as well by the provincial governments in order to provide aspiring shooters with access to the sport.

“Pakistan has a lot of talent in shooting but our shooters need proper infrastructure and facilities to develop their skills,” long-range shooter Mohsin said.

“The provincial governments [in this regard] should take the initiative to establish shooting ranges in civilian areas so that more people can participate in the sport,” the 43-year-old, who was conferred upon Tamgha-i-Imtiaz by the Pakistan government earlier this year, added.

The Faisalabad-born Mohsin began competing at the national level back in 2007. In his career, he won medals at national long-range shooting championships and several other domestic events organised by Pakistan Army and Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) before making his mark internationally.

Mohsin won his first international silver medal in the 1,000-metre F-Open category at the CIHPRS Shooting Championship in Indianapolis in 2019.

In 2021, he secured bronze in the 900-metre event at the South Africa Long Range Open Championship. In 2022, he won three gold and two silver medals at the 68th Western Bisley Long Range Championship held in Cape Town where he also set a national record in the F-Open rifle match.

He maintained his international success in 2023, winning silver in the 800-yard category at the European Long Range Shooting Championship.

Commenting on Pakistan’s performance at the World Championship held in Bisley, United Kingdom this year, Mohsin said the country won five medals in different events, which, he said, demonstrated the potential of its shooters.

He stressed that Pakistan must begin preparations well in advance for next year’s Australian and European championships to maintain its international standing and provide its shooters with the best possible opportunities to succeed.

NEW SHOOTING FACILITIES

Mohsin disclosed that negotiations were underway with a club in Karachi for the construction of a long-range shooting facility.

He added that the Pakistan Shooting Association was also looking for a club in Lahore willing to establish a similar range in the provincial capital.

However, Mohsin insisted, more cities should be having this type of facility, noting the untapped talent was available across the country.

Mohsin emphasised that an increase in the number of shooting ranges in Pakistan would also help expand the domestic competition calendar, allowing the country’s shooters to gain experience and lift their performance before featuring in international events.

He urged the federal and provincial governments to allocate adequate funds for developing shooting facilities, arguing that a coordinated effort was necessary to establish a strong foundation for the sport.

EXPENSIVE GEAR A CONSTRAINT

Highlighting the financial challenges faced by shooters in Pakistan, Mohsin said that the equipment required for the sport was often beyond the reach of many aspiring athletes.

He called on the government to abolish or substantially reduce import duties on shooting equipment, citing the policies followed by countries such as the United States and Australia.

“Expensive equipment is a major obstacle for many talented shooters. The government should consider reducing the financial burden by reviewing import duties so that athletes can obtain the equipment they need to compete at the highest level,” he highlighted.

ATHLETES’ MENTAL HEALTH

Mohsin, who is also a sports psychologist, stressed that mental preparation should be given greater importance in Pakistan’s sporting system.

He, in this connection, called for a dedicated policy on mental health in sports, similar to the broader mental-health policy recently introduced by the Pakistan government.

He said that access to professional psychological support could help athletes in Pakistan manage competitive pressure, improve concentration and maintain the confidence required to perform consistently at major international events.

“Improving the psychological well-being of our athletes is the need of the hour. Mental preparation should be treated as an integral part of sports training if we want our athletes to deliver better results [in international events],” Mohsin said.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2026