India and Bengal veteran batsman, Manoj Tiwary, wishes to try his hands at 10-meter air rifle shooting for the country once his cricketing career comes to an end.
The 34-year-old has been playing first-class cricket since the 2004-05 domestic season and has represented the nation in 12 ODIs, 3 T20Is.
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Tiwary is keen to continue playing cricket for at least the next decade, but once he hangs his boots, it is shooting that he might opt for.
"You might end up seeing me taking up 10-metre rifle shooting and having a go in the Olympics as well," said Tiwary on youtube show 'Cow Corner Chronicles'. "It's Something which I want to do. But now you know the other responsibilities of an individual are always there. It's not easy, but let us see how I can take time out of a busy schedule and give some time to 10-metre rifle shooting as well."
Tiwary, if he walks down that path, could join a select band of cricketers (male or female) to have played for the country in more than one sport.
"I want to try (myself) out in some other sports as well, where I don't have to give my hundred percent as far as my physical fitness is concerned," he said. "I want to pick up some other sports where the physical requirement as far as running is not required. So let's see what happens."
Tiwary had a very fine domestic season this year, scoring 707 runs at an average of 50.50, including a triple century, in the Ranji Trophy. He has also called the game in recent times in Bengali for a sports broadcaster.
So why not pursue commentary seriously after retirement? "Commentary is an easier job," Tiwary believes. "It happens in an AC room, you just have to comment on what's happening on the field and give your expert views."
But shooting is not Tiwary's only post-cricket interest.
"Coaching is something I want to do," he said. "I want to produce players and give all my experience to the needy ones and to the players who struggle in their daily lives. I come across so many youngsters, so many cricketers in coaching centres. They come from outside the State and from within the state as well. They are very poor people. I want to coach them for free for sure."
"I want to create something so that they don't have to think financially about learning cricket. So, I want to make a base where they can come, anyone can come, especially from the poor background, where financial problems are there with them. I just want them to explore and help them achieve their dreams," Tiwary added.
(Inputs from IANS)
