Jaspal Rana Slams NRAI’s Inconsistent Selection Policy, Says ‘No System To Protect Shooters’

New Delhi: Coach Jaspal Rana of the Double Olympic-medallist Shooter, Manu Bhaker, Friday came out sharply against the “ever-changing” Olympic selection policy of the National Rifle Association of India, saying it demoralizes emerging talents and has the potential to do more harm if it is not stabilized. While advocating that there needs to be a consistent policy, the pistol legend with three Asiad gold medals claimed that the present system does not support the shooters enough and most of the time, it sees their downfall.

He said that the policy for selection changes every six months, and this is where a question of uncertainty comes in because one can never prepare. He suggested that the federation should decide on one policy and persist with it, irrespective of whether it is right or wrong. This consistency, he believes, will significantly improve the performance of shooters.

“The (federation’s) selection policy changes every six months. I met the sports minister and told him ‘get the selection policy from the federation. Let them decide… whatever they decide, right or wrong, we are not discussing that, and then stick to it’.

“You will see the difference (in the performance of shooters),” said the decorated marksman.

Rana pointed to the rapid fall of shooters like Saurabh Chaudhary and Jitu Rai—both promising young shooters who, after their precocious success, have gone into a tailspin. Nor did he spare Arjun Babuta, who finished fourth in Paris but now seems to be struggling to hit his best form again. Rana questions what is being done to support these guys and help them regain their competitive edge.

In 2021 itself, the NRAI revised its selection criteria by cutting down bonus points for quota winners and reinstated trials. Rana criticized the way that the federation has been erratic with no consistency or clarity. He said that Olympic and world medallists require prolonged support and protection if they are to continue performing at the highest levels.

“Where is (pistol shooter) Saurabh Chaudhary, where is (Asian Games gold medallist pistol shooter) Jitu Rai? Does anybody talk about them? No. Are we talking about (10m air rifle shooter) Arjun Babuta, who finished fourth in Paris? He missed the medal by a fraction,” the firebrand 48-year-old asked.

“Nobody is thinking how to get him back on the platform (again),” said Rana, who was allegedly told to leave the Karni Singh ranges by the federation’s High Performance Director Pierre Beauchamp during the Paris Olympics Selection Trials.

Rana’s concerns remain especially relevant for Manu Bhaker, who despite winning two bronzes in Paris, will have to go through the grind of re-qualifying into the national squad once she returns from her break. He wants a system in place where every Olympic medallist gets an automatic entry into each trial, thus automatically getting all the facilities and support to stay at the top level.