Rana PT defends Usha, credits her with 'support' for Manu |'s Olympic medal News from the Olympic Games

IOA officials alleged that Usha bypassed certain regulations to settle matters within the organization.

“PT Usha is trying to do something and everyone is behind him. Why? Why do people stand still and not want to leave? Let him do what he wants,” added the 51-year-old.

“He hasn’t been there for the last 20 years? Make public what he did wrong. You only want to attack him for a year and a half. Give him a chance; Instead of dragging him down, support him.”

Rana, who has fallen out with the National Shooting Federation and criticized its selection policy, stressed the importance of developing a systematic approach to athlete development, particularly in shooting, to ensure consistent results.

“It's really painful when you go to the Olympics and come back with 6-7 medals, and then we talk for two or three months, and then someone talks for two years…”

The four-time Asian Games gold medalist and former world shooting champion said: “Everyone knows what Manu and I went through before and even during the Olympics. By the grace of God, we won two medals in pistol shooting and one in rifle shooting.”

“We need a system; we don't need miracles to happen at all the Olympics. We need a system in which we can produce 30-40 shooters who can hand out medals. We are talking about the Olympic Games in 2036. Do you want to host them? , Or maybe you want to win and leave your mark?” she asked.

Asked if success would have been possible without the system, he said: “Of course the system does a lot and that's why we have over 100 athletes qualifying for the Olympics.

“But we need more than that; To secure a medal, we must put in extra effort. Something is missing – fighting. You know what fights happen in IOA.”

It was believed that the legendary shooter would return as coach in charge of Indian shooting, but Rana said there has been no response from the NRAI so far.

“I don't know. Ask them. No answer. I don't need anything from them. NRAI has not contacted me in any way.

“I'm not looking for anything. Let's see. I work for sport without expecting anything.”

When asked if he was interested in coaching the Indian shooting team, he said, “It will be an honor for me to work with 20-30 athletes and if they win medals, it will be an honor. Time will tell; If necessary, he will do anything.”

He also talked about India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics and said it was realistic.

“Delhi was renovated in 1982; all these big hotels were built during the Asian Games. Likewise, the Olympics will give us another platform. If we have that kind of infrastructure and we can handle it in one place, we won't do it. it has to be done. The entire facility has to be built. No, we can only reform what is there.

“We can have the infrastructure and athletes who can deliver medals. Why don't you count the athletes who narrowly missed out on medals? If we can come together and solve small problems, let them compete with an open mind, we are there. .

“We are very close to winning the gold medal. Just look at Manu's result. Athletes need support and should feel that the whole system is behind them. Let's build a system; when we talk about athletes, everything should revolve around them, not against them.