Olympian and former head coach of the Indian Shooting contingent was named one of India’s elite sports legends for her revolutionary leadership and extraordinary contributions to Indian shooting.
Suma Shirur, an Olympian and former chief coach of the Indian Shooting team, received the Coach of the Year (Female) award from the Indian Sports Honours 2024, produced by Cornerstone Sport, during a prominent occasion commemorating success in Indian sports. Shirur, the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic final, was honoured for her leadership in bringing the Indian shooting team to victory at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, as well as her commitment to advancing gender equality in Indian sports.The award event brought together the country’s top athletes, coaches, and sports personalities, with Suma Shirur standing out for her unwavering pursuit of success. Under her guidance, India’s shooters won three Olympic medals, signaling a renaissance in Indian shooting on a global scale. Notably, her guidance helped Avani Lekhara win her second Paralympic gold medal in the Women’s 10m race, cementing Shirur’s reputation as a coach who helps athletes reach their greatest potential.
Suma Shirur accepted the award and expressed her thanks, highlighting her commitment to developing a culture of resilience and focus among Indian athletes, saying, “This honor belongs to every athlete and team member who worked alongside me.”Our path has been marked by dedication, and this prize underlines our joint ambition of bringing Indian shooting to new heights.”
The Indian Sports Honours recognize remarkable achievements in sports by honoring elite individuals, coaches, and teams in 14 categories. This year’s selection was heavily influenced by its acclaimed jury panel, which was directed by Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member. He was accompanied by sports giants P.T. Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), former World Number One shooter Anjali Bhagwat, and Sanjog Gupta, Head of Sports at Disney+ Star. Other jury members were Vijender Singh, a 2008 Olympic Boxing Bronze medalist, Yogeshwar Dutt, a 2012 Wrestling Bronze medalist, and Sardar Singh, a former Indian hockey captain.In addition to her coaching achievements, Suma Shirur is a strong champion for gender equality and grassroots sports development. She has coached over 200 national-level shooters through her Lakshya Shooting Club, providing a fostering atmosphere for the next generation of Indian shooting stars to thrive. Her accomplishments continue to inspire young athletes, coaches, and sports fans around the country.
