“Made country and family proud”: Manisha Keer’s father after Asian Games silver

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], September 29 (ANI): Bhopal-based shooter Manisha Keer’s household expressed happiness and pleasure after she, together with Neeru and Aashima Ahlawat, clinched the silver medal within the ladies’s entice workforce occasion on the Asian Games 2026 in Japan on Tuesday.

Manisha, who hails from Bhopal, started her taking pictures journey in 2013 and used to organize on the taking pictures academy in Bishankhedi within the state capital. Her father, Kailash Keer, stated the household was happy with her achievement and recalled how she was chosen throughout her very first trial on the academy.

Speaking to ANI, Kailash Keer stated, “Manisha has made the country, coach and the family proud. The biggest thing for us is that she has brought glory to the country. She started her journey in this sport in 2013 and has been winning medals ever since.”

He stated Manisha was launched to taking pictures after her elder sister Sona, who was concerned in water sports activities, was approached by a coach on the taking pictures stadium in Bhopal.

“Her elder sister Sona was involved in water sports. Around the same time, a shooting academy opened here in Bishankhedi and a coach asked Sona if she knew any child who could take up the sport. Sona suggested Manisha’s name, saying she was her younger sister. Manisha cleared her first trial and since then she has been practising at the academy,’ he said.

He further also spoke about the financial challenges involved in shooting, saying the family met Manisha’s initial requirements from their own resources and later the government took care of the expenses.  

“Initially, no matter was wanted for the kid, we managed from our personal pocket. Our household was concerned in fish farming, and no matter revenue got here from it was used to fulfill her necessities. Later, the federal government took care of the main bills for the kids, whereas we continued to fulfil the smaller wants,” he said.

Expressing happiness over his daughter’s achievement, Kailash said his wish now is to see Manisha represent the country at the Olympics. 

“We are glad and can stay glad. I pray that everybody, together with the nation’s officers and folks, stays glad. She has introduced glory to the nation, and that may be a good factor. Now, my solely want is that she performs within the Olympics,” he said.

Meanwhile, Manisha’s elder sister Sona Keer also expressed happiness over the achievement and said winning a medal at the Asian Games had been her dream for her younger sister.

“I’m very glad and it was my dream that she ought to win. She received a medal final time as effectively and has received a medal this time too. As a participant, the main focus is at all times on ensuring that the coaching given by the coach produces outcomes,” Sona said.

Sona said Manisha’s journey had been supported by her coaches, parents and family, adding that she progressed through junior, senior and youth-level competitions before reaching the Asian Games.

“The first help comes from the coach, adopted by the help of oldsters and household. Coming from a middle-class household, you are feeling that in case you are shifting forward, you need to take your loved ones ahead as effectively. Her starting within the sport was excellent. She received medals at junior, senior and youth competitions after which reached the Asian Games. There was a section when she went by means of a slight downturn, however with continued observe she got here again strongly,” she said.

Sona further said that Manisha’s next focus is to begin preparations for the Olympics.

“I’ve even higher expectations from her now. Her foremost focus is to return and put together for the Olympics. This is her largest focus now, and all of us within the household are hopeful that she’s going to signify the nation on the Olympics,” she added.  

The Indian ladies’s taking pictures workforce of Neeru, Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer clinched the silver medal within the ladies’s entice workforce occasion on the Asian Games 2026 in Japan on Tuesday. 

The Indian trio completed with a mixed rating of 328 factors, three factors forward of Kuwait, who secured the bronze medal with 325 factors. China received the gold medal with a rating of 346 factors. (ANI)