No personal coaches during camps: NRAI

THE GUIDELINES WERE FLOUTED BY SOME SHOOTERS DURING THE JUST CONCLUDED WORLD CUP

NEW DELHI: The National Rifle Association of India on Friday said its guidelines restricting private or personal coaches of shooters during national preparatory camps and competitions need to be strictly followed.

On the recommendation of its athletes commission, a circular was issued six months ago that experts not on NRAI coaching panel can’t intervene during coaching camps or competition.

However, the guidelines were flouted by some shooters during the just concluded World Cup that offered 14 Tokyo Olympics quota places. India got only one quota place through pistol shooter Saurabh Chaudhary in 10m air pistol. NRAI president Raninder Singh chaired a review meeting with the coaching panel, which included foreign experts, here on Friday. “The guidelines are very clear and we don’t want to emphasise on it again and again,” he said.

National pistol coach Pavel Smirnov was unhappy when Asian Games bronze medallist Abhishek Verma preferred to take tips from his personal coach during the 10m air pistol qualifiers. He eventually failed to qualify for the final.

Some teething issues like inclusion of junior team coach Jaspal Rana in the senior squad had cropped up before the Delhi World Cup. NRAI, however, made attempts to diffuse the crises. “If a junior shooter having potential to win Olympic quota is selected in the national team we would prefer to include the respective coach who trained that shooter,” said Raninder.

The NRAI also emphasised on collective efforts from the coaching staff for good results. “In a sport where decimal counts, shooters need to stay focused otherwise chances of losing the rhythm can easily influence overall results,” said a national coach.

NRAI, however, will not interfere in the programme of shooters under TOPS.