Trials won’t work, need to go with big-stage performers, says Jaspal Rana
Jaspal Rana has reckoned that the NRAI has to opt for those who have the guts to perform on the big stage instead of conducting trials to finalise India’s representatives at the Tokyo Olympics next year. Rana has also credited NRAI president Raninder Singh for India’s success in the sport this year.
From a forgettable showing at Rio in 2016 to claiming a record number of Olympic quota places for the 2020 Games, India has had an unprecedented year in the sport. That success has come on the back of a record gold medal haul as well in 2019 — something the junior pistol coach Rana credits to the meticulous planning by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) headed by Raninder. However, he is not in agreement with the association’s thinking of conducting trials to pick the team for Tokyo.
"If they (NRAI) go by logic, it (trials) is not going to work They have to see who has the guts to perform in that situation. If they go by conducting more trials, those things are not going to work. You cannot say that the trials you are doing in India are more important than a World Cup, Asian Games or Asian Championships. Somebody who has the guts to perform under that pressure should be given the chance," a candid Rana told TimesofIndia.com.
"You talk about three best scores. But if somebody already has the three best scores in the last 100 days, why do they have to give trials? The other person (who hasn't performed well or won a medal) will have only one score (at the trials) and that too only in India. It does not make any sense," he explained.
In a recent interview at the Shotgun Nationals in Delhi recently, Raninder had strongly advocated for the need to protect athletes and that the shooters and parents may be asked to sign bonds so that they are not misused for financial gains. Though he is in agreement with the principle, Rana suggested that the rule shouldn't be enforced selectively.
"You can control things, that's fine, but that control should not be only for a few people. About 95% of the shooters are already under contract (endorsement deals). What is the mistake of those 4-5 who have done well in the last few months and now they're going to get good contracts (endorsement deals)? What is the problem? You cannot have a rule for a few and leave others out," Rana added.
