Jaspal Rana threatens to boycott Gold Coast CWG as protest for shooting snub

03/16/2018

Renowned Pistol shooter Jaspal Rana has called for the country's boycott of the Commonwealth Games if the federation doesn't decide to feature the sport as a permanent one in the future games. Earlier, CWG CEO had said that the event became an optional one and may not happen in next games.

Although the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast will have shooting as a sport, it may not happen next time in Birmingham as the governing body of the event decided to make it an "optional one". However, the decision has not gone down well with Indian shooters, who have always been consistent performers in the event and also at the second position in the CWG's all-time medal list for shooting, having won 118 medals so far. Rana, who is also considered as one of the most experienced shooters in the country, stated that the county should boycott this year's event as a protest to include it all future games.

"The government has to fight for that, not us. Because if they keep moving the events in which we are good at, that is not good for the country. Boycott the competition, don't shoot in the Commonwealth Games, China did not shoot in four Olympics and when they came back they made a clean sweep," Rana said as quoted by PTI.

"The government now is doing a lot for the athletes in terms of funding and exposure. It's a very positive development and the sportspersons have benefitted."

India is always considered as a good place to be a shooter and the country has produced a number of stars over the years. The seniors also sometimes help the youngsters during the camps and Rana seemed impressed by the preparation of young players and add that preparing well and discipline is key to their success.

"Commonwealth Games is important but the competition is less there, we are competing with our own shooters there," he said.

"They will fall and they will bounce back, they are just 14-15 years so it's like up and down. Discipline is key for junior shooters to rise."