Pakistan Navy, since its inception is performing the sacred duty of defending the motherland in a befitting manner. It is only possible through the extensive training that Pakistan Navy imparts to keep its personnel abreast with the innovations in warfare technology.A well trained soldier is also expected to be a proficient marksman. Pakistan Navy, being a multidimensional force, has to train its men for not only effective operations at sea but for selective operations on land as well. In order to train the naval troops for land operations, basic infantry training has been made a part of the training system. In this backdrop the foundation of the Pakistan Navy Rifle Association (PNRA) was laid in 1952. The purpose was to promote shooting in Pakistan Navy and thus train marksmen for effective land based operations involving use of small arms.
Union inception, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan kindly accepted the Patronage of the PNRA while Chief of the Naval Staff was designated as Vice Patron. Since 1952, the event is being held regularly on yearly basis barring few occasions when it could not be held due service reasons.
Year 2010 is especially significant in the history of PNRA as it marks “50TH PNRA Meet” and has been declared as Golden Jubilee Meet by the Chief of the Naval Staff in his capacity as Vice Patron PNRA. To celebrate the Golden Jubilee Meet in a befitting manner, efforts are in hand to invite the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to grace the occasion as the Chief Guest.
PNRA Golden Jubilee Meet commencing on 13 February 2010 will comprise of 16 competitions in various categories. During the meet, different matches will be held for ensuring participation of ladies, children, officers and sailors of Pakistan Navy. Matches include use of 7.62mm G-3 Rifle, MG1-A3 Machine Gun, 9, Walther Pistol, 9mm MP-5 Sub Machine Gun and 0.22 Rifle. All 16 matches have been included in the PNRA Meet over a span of several years starting a history attached to it. A short detail of each cup is mentioned below:
British Officers Memorial Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA by the British Officers of PN in 1952. It is competed for by serving Lieutenant Commanders of Pakistan Navy through a 9mm Pistol shooting match.
Clayton Hammond Cup: This cup was presented in 1958 by parents and brothers of late Lieutenant Commander F Clayton Hammond of PN. It is competed for by ladies through a 0.22 open sight rifle shooting match.
Jhelum Cup: This cup was received as PN share of Ex-Royal Indian Navy trophies and was presented by the NHQ to PNRA in 1952. It is competed for by teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 9mm Pistol shooting match.
Qasim Cup: This cup was presented by the officers and men of PNS Qasim to PNRA in 1959. It is competed for by the teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 9mm Pistol Knockout match.
Bahadur Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA by PNS BAHADUR in 1967. It is competed for by children under 19 years of age of serving and retired PN personnel through a 0.22 open sight rifle shooting match.
Taimur Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA in 1959 by the officers and men of PNS TaIMUR. It is competed for by teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 7.62mm machine gun shooting match.
Babur Challenge Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA by the officers of PNS BABUR in 1962. It is competed for by young officers (LTs, S/LTs/Midshipman/Cadets) having service less then 4 years, through a 7.62mm G-3 rifle and 9mm Pistol shooting match.
Bahawalpur Challenge Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA in 1952 by His Highness Ameer of Bahawalpur. It is competed for by the teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 7.62mm G-3 rifle shooting match.
Latif Memorial Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA in 1982 by the officers and men of Gunnery School in the memory of shaheed Lt M Latif PN who laid his life for the defense of the country in 1971. It is competed for by the teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 9mm MP-5 sub machine gun match.
Ghafoor Challenge Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA by Commander A Ghafoor PN in 1962. It is competed for by the teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 7.62 mm G-3 rifle match.
Jefford Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA in 1952 by the former Commander in Chief Pakistan Navy and Vice Patron of PNRA, Vice Admiral J W Jefford, OBE. It is competed for by the young sailors through a 7.62,, G-3 rifle match.
Tippu Sultan Cup: This cup was received as PN share of EX Royal Indian Navy trophies and was presented to PNRA by the NHQ in 1952. It is competed for by the teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 9mm pistol and 7.62mm G-3 rifle match.
CNS Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA by the Ex Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir NI(M) in 2007 in his capacity of Vice Patron PNRA. It is competed for by the teams of PN Ships and Establishments through a 9mm pistol and 7.62mm G-3 rifle match.
Tariq Challenge Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA in 1958 by the officers and men of PNS TARIQ. The match comprises of 6 events, 3 events of 7.62mm G-3 rifle and 3 of 9mm pistol, requiring expertise in 6 different disciplines of art of the marksmanship. It is competed for by the 5 top shooters of each participating team. Ten PN Top shooters are awarded prizes being best of the best.
Arshad Challenge Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA by the Rear Admiral (Retired) M I Arshad HI(M), S.Bt, being the Chairman Karachi Port Trust, in 1985. It is competed for by the PN officers of the rank of Captain and Commander through a 9mm pistol match.
KPT Challenge Cup: This cup was presented to PNRA by the Rear Admiral (Retired) M I Arshad HI(M), S.Bt, being the Chairman Karachi Port Trust, 15 1985. It is competed for by the PN officers of the rank of Commodores and above through a 9mm pistol match.
PNRA Runner Up Trophy: This trophy was presented to PNRA by the officers of PNS HIMALAYA in 1970. It is presented to the team that is overall second in the PNRA Meet.
PNRA Championship Trophy: This trophy was presented to PNRA by the officers of PNS HIMALAYA in 1970. It is presented to the overall winner team of PNRA Meet.
It is also pertinent to mention that it is because of the PNRA that today PN marksmen are recognized not only as top of the line shooters at national level but they have, on several occasions, represented Pakistan by winning medals during international competitions.
On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Meet of the Pakistan Navy Rifle Association Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 10/- denomination on 13, February 2010
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