&w=1024&resize=1024,0&ssl=1 "Rana PT defends Usha, credits 'support' for Manu's Olympic medal | Olympic Games News")
Manu Bhaker's personal coach Jaspal Rana on Wednesday gave full credit to Indian Olympic Association chief PT Usha for the young shooter's historic double medal win at the Paris Games, saying he “fought” and gave you all the support.
Manu became the first Indian athlete since independence to win two individual Olympic medals, winning bronze in the women's individual 10m air pistol and mixed team events.
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“I credit these two medals to PT Usha. He was the one who fought against all the problems we had and gave me all the support,” Rana told PTI Video in an exclusive interview here.
IOA officials alleged that Usha ignored certain provisions to get things done in the organization.
“PT Usha is trying to do something and everyone is behind him. Why? Why are people stuck in a position and don't want to leave? Let him do what he wants,” the 51-year-old added. .
“Hasn’t he been there for the last 20 years? Make public what he did wrong. You just want to attack him for a year and a half. Give it a chance; Instead of dragging him down, support him.”
Rana, who has disagreed with the National Shooting Federation and criticized its selection policy, emphasized the importance of establishing a systematic approach in developing athletes, particularly in shooting, to ensure consistent performance.
“It's very painful when you go to the Olympics and come back with 6 to 7 medals, and then we talk for two or three months, and then, two years, someone…”
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 another in rifle.”
“We need a system; we don't need miracles to happen at every Olympics. We need a system where we can produce 30 to 40 shooters who can give medals. We're talking about the 2036 Olympics. Do you want to host them? , Or do you want to win and leave a mark? she asked.
Asked if success would come without the system, he said: “Of course the system is doing a lot, which is why we have more than 100 qualifiers for the Olympics.
“But we need more; To guarantee a medal, we have to make an extra effort. Something is missing: fights. You know what kind of fights happen at IOA.”
It was believed that the legendary shooter would return to his coaching role 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 response. I don't need anything from them. I was not contacted by NRAI in any way.
“I'm not looking for anything. Let's see. I’m working for the sport without expecting anything.”
Asked if he is interested in coaching the Indian shooting team, he said: “It will be an honor to work with 20 to 30 athletes and if they win medals, it will be an honor. will do everything.” “
He also spoke about India's bid for the 2036 Olympics and said it was realistic.
“Delhi was reformed in 1982; all these big hotels came up during the Asian Games. So in the same way, the Olympics will give us the next platform. If we have that kind of infrastructure and can manage it in one place, we won't do that. The whole place has to be built. No, we can only reform what is there.
“We can have the infrastructure and the athletes that can guarantee medals. Why not count the athletes who narrowly missed out on medals? If we can come together and solve the little 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 score. Athletes need support and should feel like the entire system is behind them. Let's build the system; When we talk about athletes, everything should revolve around them, not against them.
(Only the title and image for this report may have been reworked by the Business Standards team; the rest of the content is automatically generated from a distributed feed.)
