Two times CWG gold medallist shooter Jitu Rai is impressed with the performance of Indian shooting contingent at Gold Coast CWG. However, Indian Army’s Naib Subedar is worried about the negative effect by the exclusion of shooting from 2022 Birmingham CWG.
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“We win a lot of medals in shooting (at the CWGs). Look at the kids who are doing so well and they will only do better as they go along. So it saddens me that shooting won’t be a part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. It will affect young medal prospects of our country,” Jitu told PTI as reported by TOI.
“But it is not in our hands. We can only shoot and that is what we are doing. Whether to include the sport or not, is in the hands of the government (organisers). But I am still hopeful that it would be included,” he said.
National Rifle Association of India(NRAI) had asked the country to refuse participating in the 2022 Birmingham CWG, if shooting will not be included and Rai generally accepted the fact.
“If NRAI has said, then it is right. I agree with them. If they are removing one sport, then boycott the Games completely because we are doing so well in this sport. We were winning so many medals in shooting. I support the NRAI and government,” the Asian champion said.
Jitu Rai won gold medal in the men’s 10m air pistol with a record score of 235.1 at CWG but this happiness can’t wipe out the disappointment of poor outing at Rio Olympics.
“When you get result for your hardwork, that feeling is priceless. So I am very happy. I know it will never replace the pain of the Rio Olympics disappointment and I don’t even think about it anymore but it does changes me up to do well in future. In a sportsman’s life, there are good times as well as bad times. Perhaps, it was a bad phase of my life and maybe it was not in my luck that I didn’t get a medal at the Olympics. But after that, I have won medals consistently before and after Rio,” he said.
Jitu Rai sights good performance in shooting world cup but also sets himself for all important Asian Games and World Championships.
