Malick Asghar Hashmi, Faridabad (Haryana)

Today, when Indian shooting is making waves across the world, and names like Manu Bhaker and Abhinav Bindra are associated with bringing glory to the country, one name has somehow goen into the oblivion in the sporting corridors.

That name is Aneesa Sayyad, once a shooter whose bullets brought a shower of medals for the country. She is now taking care of her family in Faridabad, Haryana, raising her nine-year-old daughter. Yet, if one turns the pages of history, it becomes clear that she is an athlete who turned adversity into her “target,” hit it head-on, and hoisted India’s flag high across in the global stage.

Aneesa Sayyad's saga of becoming an international shooter is no less thrilling than a film script. In an era when athletes have access to state-of-the-art shooting ranges and teams of coaches, Aneesa carved her path amid scarcity.

Aneesa Sayyad with her colleague

a conversation with Awaz-the Voice, she once shared a fascinating anecdote. In her early days, opportunities to go out and practice were rare. So, she turned her own home into a shooting range—fixing a target between two rooms and practising for hours. It was her grit and passion that took her from her home-based shooting range to the international podium.

The 45-year-old Aneesa Sayyad was born in Khadki, Satara district of Maharashtra. She inherited a passion for sports from her father, Abdul Hamid Sayyad, who was a club-level football player. Her shooting journey began during her college years through NCC (National Cadet Corps) training, where she was awarded the title of Best NCC Shooter of the school.

Aneesa  Sayyad

Aneesa Sayyad’s career bloomed in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. That year, she not only won the team gold medal in the 25-metre pistol event along with Rahi Sarnobat, but also clinched the individual gold with a record score of 776.5. Her victory emerged as a new beacon of hope for Indian sport at the time.

She won a gold medal at the South Asian Games (SAF) in 2010 and a silver medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. She added a bronze medal at the Incheon Asian Games, and in 2016, she won gold again at the National Shooting Championship (NSCC

Aneesa Sayyad is married to Mubarak Hussain Khan, who, in life, has been as courageous as her sporting career. Coming from an open and modern Maharashtrian family, she entered into a love marriage with Mubarak Hussain Khan, a resident of Mewat (Nuh) in Haryana.

Aneesa  Sayyad

Mewat, known for its conservative and rigid cultural identity, posed challenges for Aneesa as a sportsperson-daughter-in-law that were no less demanding than winning a gold medal.

Aneesa Sayyad’s story is not just one of victories, but also of struggle against the system. At one point, she worked as a ticket collector with Indian Railways, but after repeated requests for transfers were rejected, she was forced to resign. Ironically, an athlete who gave the nation so many proud moments had to knock on doors for a job and basic facilities after her career.

In 2017, she even lodged a complaint against sports department officials, alleging harassment and non-payment of salary for two years. It is a tragic reality that in India, champion athletes often face institutional apathy after winning medals.

Aneesa  Sayyad showing off her medal

For now, Aneesa has stepped back from the shooting range. Her priority today is her nine-year-old daughter. Yet, sports lovers still miss her. Whenever India’s women pistol shooters are discussed, Aneesa’s name surfaces as an inspiration. She proved that if a middle-class girl strengthens her willpower, she can step out of domestic rooms and unfurl the tricolour on the world’s highest stage.