Bhubaneswar : Coaching is an art as well as a science. Yet, deep down, what matters is being able to deliver and shape champions. In what can be termed as a unique first, it was very thoughtful of the Indian Olympic Association to honour and reward three coaches recently, who had played an instrumental role in India winning three medals, all in shooting at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The IOA awards function, held in New Delhi on Monday, was attended by a select band of medal-winning athletes. It was presided over by Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha and Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya. For those who follow Indian sports closely, coaches Jaspal Rana, who shaped the future of pistol queen Manu Bhaker, Deepali Deshpande, who ensured Swapnil Kushale would peak on the big stage, and Abishek Rana, who has mentored Sarabjot Singh for years, being feted was poignant.
What needs to be remembered, these coaches have been selfless, continued to work tirelessly. Rewind to the summer of 2024, it was uncertain if Jaspal Rana, who had ensured Manu Bhaker would peak repeatedly at the Olympic selection trials, would continue to maintain her form and composure. After all, conquering the inner demons after failure at the Tokyo Olympics was a challenge for Manu.
Jaspal being Jaspal, someone who has worked with Manu from here youth days, did manage her well. That he got to travel to Europe, in the build-up to the Paris Olympics was important. He had faced uncertainty if he would be with Manu at important stages of her final training as the Olympics approached. Perhaps, the smile on the face of PT Usha said it all in Monday. She has ensured Jaspal Rana and Abhishek Rana would be cleared at ‘Government cost’ and be there with Manu and Sarabjot Singh. This was a new first of sorts, coaches who were not hired at that time by the National Rifle Association of India, had got clearance to travel for the Olympics.
That Rana delivered medals for India is remarkable as he has groomed so many young champions since the days of the junior development programme. As Manu won two bronze medals in Chateauroux in air pistol and the mixed event with Sarabjot, it was a new high. The exact amount of cash awards from the IOA is not important. What is important, the Indian sports system has accepted roles played by the Gurus. Today, Jaspal Rana is not only coaching Manu Bhaker, but also guiding Esha Singh and other elite pistol shooters who want his guidance.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has often spoken of how it is important to provide the right ambience for Indian athletes to do well on the international stage. Sure enough, the Government needs to be complimented for supporting ‘private coaches’ in 2024, who are no part of the Indian shooting system. Eventually, as part of Viksit Bharat, Indian sports needs coaches from home who can deliver.
Abhishek Rana has his own shooting ranges near Ambala in Haryana. He had coached Sarabjot Singh from a young age. Yet, there was anxiety, as the Paris Olympics approached. Abhishek also got cleared for the Europe tour and Paris 2024 Olympics. This step, taken by the IOA in tandem with the Sports Ministry is important. For those who think if it can become a template for the future, why not.
Last but not the least comes the role played by Deepali Deshpande, herself a former international rifle shooter who now has coached various rifle shooters, male and female. Though Deepali did not travel to Paris for the Olympics, she has ensured the shooters she has groomed can still do well “Deepali Maam is like my own mother, I talk to her constantly and she has guided me,” Swapnil had told this writer in Paris last year. In fact, had Deepali been present physically at the Olympics, more shooters like Arjun Babuta and a few more would also have gained in confidence and done better at the Olympics.
Well, Deepali has no complaints. “I have always ensured the shooters get independent, I cannot be there all the time,” she told this writer For her efforts as a coach, she was presented the Dronacharya Award last year by the Indian Government . Above all, for the NRAI to bring back on board Jaspal Rana and Deepali as national coaches is important. Lesson learnt, so many Indian coaches work out of passion. Surely, they do not crave for awards and rewards. That they have been recognised and part of the Indian sports system is important.
– S. Kannan
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