Jaspal Rana Slams NRAI For Sending Olympic-Bound Shooters To Munich WC

Former Indian shooter Jaspal Rana has slammed the National Rifle Association of India's (NRAI) decision to send the Olympic-bound shooters for the World Cup in Munich, starting on Friday. In an exclusive interview with IANS, the Asian Games gold medallist shooter Rana questioned the selection of Olympic-bound shooters in the World Cup just before the quadrennial showpiece. The veteran said the event will not aid shooters for Olympic preparations as it is tough to sustain peak performance for such a long period.

"There will be a World Cup in Munich after the hectic one-month Olympic trials. No player wants to perform badly in the World Cup. If you're at the peak, will you be at the peak after one month also? Which sports science centre will tell you that players can stay at peak for three months? You can't stay at peak level for long," Rana told IANS.

"The policy was wrong and when you've made the policy just stick to it. You're not sticking to your policy. If there is no ranking and point system in the Munich World Cup, why are you delaying the names of the selected shooters for the Olympics? Even if you have to adjust one to two players, then reveal the rest of the players so that they can start their preparations," he added.

After competing at the Munich World Cup, the team will proceed to a camp in France before heading back for a two-week break at home. They will then assemble for a camp in Bhopal, before departing for the Olympic Games.

The 47-year-old further said that India should have replicated the approach opted by other countries including China and the USA, who have sent their second-string squad for the World Cup in Germany.

"Other countries have sent their B or C category squad for the World Cup. Very less