New Delhi, Oct 30 (IANS): India's lone individual Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra was Thursday elected chairman of the International Shooting Sport Federation’s Athletes Committee.

Bindra is the first Indian to hold this position and by virtue of being chairman of the committee, he will also becomes a member of the ISSF Administrative Council.

“It is a great honour, not only for me personally but also for the country as a whole. Athletes make the sport come alive," said Bindra.

"As such, this honour comes with the great responsibility of representing the views and concerns of shooting athletes from across the globe appropriately, effectively and in a balanced manner towards the betterment of the sport and I look forward to doing justice towards serving that end.”

National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Raninder Singh said: “It is a matter of great pride for the whole Indian shooting fraternity that Abhinav has been elected to such a prestigious position. He has always been eager to do his bit for the athletes and the sport of shooting.

"He has also been very proactive within the NRAI itself in trying to raise the bar of Indian shooting continuously. We are confident that he will shine as always in this new responsibility as well and wish him all the very best.”