Were expecting more shooting medals in Paris Olympics: Coach Manoj Ohlyan
Ravinder Saini
Tribune News Service
Rohtak, August 10
Manoj Ohlyan, chief coach of the Indian rifle shooting team, said they were expecting more medals in shooting at the Paris Olympics keeping in view the good form of the players but they missed some medals by a narrow margin. Yet, the Indian shooters created history by contributing 50 per cent of the total six medals India had clinched so far in the Paris Olympics.
“Before leaving for Paris, all our shooters had toiled hard as the Indian contingent had returned empty handed in the past two Olympics. But they broke this barrier and won three medals in a row in Paris.” said Manoj while talking to ‘The Tribune’ on returning to Rohtak from Paris on Saturday. He was accorded a warm welcome on the occasion.
Reward coaches as well
Medal winners are given cash awards and jobs by the government, but there is nothing significant for encouraging the coaches in the policy, who, too, do equal hard work and devote equal time to groom the players. Cash and other awards should also be given to the coaches at the state level. — Vijay Kumar, Shooting Enthusiast
Bhim awardee Manoj belonging to Mor Kheri village here has been associated with the Indian shooting team as the coach for the past decade. Under his guidance, international shooters — Ravi Kumar, Deepak and Kajal Saini — succeeded in clinching medals in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Championship. Manoj himself has been an international shooter and won a medal in the Commonwealth Championship.
Manoj said two to three players missed a medal by a narrow margin at the Paris Olympics. “Had the destiny been with them, India would have two-three more medals in shooting. However, Indian shooters have given their best-ever performance in the Olympics this time,” he added.
He said these three Olympics medals would not only give a boost to shooting in India but also release the pressure on Indian shooters in the next Olympics and other international events. Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh again made Haryana and India proud by their amazing performance in Paris, he added.
Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale created history by becoming the first Indian shooter to win bronze medal in the 50-m rifle three positions event. A few people know that Manoj as a coach of the Indian team had helped him a lot in improving his technical skills and also trained him in handling the pressure of major tournaments.
“The blend of hard work, patience and discipline is the key to Swapnil’s triumph in the Paris Olympics. He started shooting at the junior level. He could not go to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as he came third in the selection trials as only two top shooters participate in the Olympics. Swapnil has improved a lot in his technique in the past few years,” Manoj added.
On being asked about the lack of facilities for the shooters, the coach claimed the Centre as well as the Rifle Association had provided whatever facility the shooters demanded from them not only for the Olympics but also for other big tournaments. Wonderful performance of shooters in Paris would ensure more facilities for the game at the grassroots level, he added.
On the occasion, Vijay Kumar, a shooting enthusiast, demanded the Centre and state government to ensure some cash and other awards for the coaches as well so that they also feel encouraged.
“Medal winners are given cash awards and jobs by the government but there is nothing significant for encouraging the coaches in the policy, who too do equal hard work and devote equal time to groom the players, hence cash and other awards should also be given to the coaches at the state level,” he added.
