Suma Shirur Recognised As Coach Of The Year At Indian Sports Honours 2024 For Exceptional Leadership

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Suma Shirur, an Olympian and former chief coach of the Indian shooting team, was honoured with the 'Coach of the Year (Female)' award at the Indian Sports Honours 2024.

This event, organised by Cornerstone Sport, celebrated excellence in Indian sports. Shirur's leadership has been pivotal in advancing Indian shooting on the global stage.

Her guidance led to significant achievements, including three Olympic medals for India. Under her mentorship, Avani Lekhara won her second Paralympics Gold in the Women's 10m event. Shirur's dedication to nurturing talent has been instrumental in these successes.

The Indian Sports Honours recognises outstanding contributions across 14 categories. This year's jury was chaired by Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medalist and an IOC member. Other notable jury members included P.T. Usha, Anjali Bhagwat, Sanjog Gupta, Vijender Singh, Yogeshwar Dutt, and Sardar Singh.

Shirur expressed gratitude upon receiving her award. She highlighted her commitment to building resilience and focus among athletes. "This honour is not just mine but belongs to every athlete and team member who worked alongside me," she stated.

Beyond coaching, Shirur is a strong advocate for gender equality in sports. Through her Lakshya Shooting Club, she has mentored over 200 national-level shooters. Her efforts have created a supportive environment for emerging talents in Indian shooting.

The award ceremony gathered top athletes, coaches, and sports figures from across India. Shirur stood out for her relentless pursuit of excellence and dedication to promoting gender parity in sports.

Suma Shirur's achievements continue to inspire young athletes and coaches nationwide. Her work at the grassroots level ensures that future generations of shooters have the opportunity to excel.