Bitterness in Gian Chand’s memory

Gian, who took to shooting in late 60s, won his first gold in 1967 during the BSF Inter-Sector shooting meet. However, his first medal at the national meet was in 1974 when he won a silver in .22 open sight event.

After a brief lull, the versatile shooter was back on the national scene in 1976 and won two silver medals (team) in the big bore event for BSF. Though he kept a low profile from 77 to 78, only bagging one bronze in .22 rifle event in the Ahmedabad National (1978), he still qualified for the 78 Commonwealth Games held at Edmonton.

As fate would have it, the Indian team (shooting) did not take part in the meet.

But that did not shake his determination and in the 1979 national held at Chandigarh, Gian got back his winning touch. He hit the target with precision to enter the record books. He won first position in .22 rifle prone position with a new national mark. At the same nationals, he qualified for the Asian Shooting Championships.

However, it was the same old story no backing up from any quarters. He could not don the national colours. “I had no money for the air ticket. So I was left out of the team,” said the shooter.

The BSF shooter, however, donned the national colours in 1980. During the national meet, he shot a silver medal in the individual event in the .22 rifle prone position. But he hit the peak two days later during the trials for the Moscow Olympics. “My score of 594/600 got me a berth in the national squad for the Olympics,” recalled Gian. This time his employers, who on were unable to finance his trip abroad on earlier occasions, came forward and financed him for the event.

Though the team left for Moscow on July 9, Gian’s name was cleared at the eleventh hour and he boarded the flight on July 13. “I couldn’t believe that I was taking part in the Olympics till I reached the venue,” he said.

However, during the games he had to face another problem. His shooting kit was not according to standard measurement and the officials refused to let him participate.

Left with no option, Gian had to cut his shooting kit with a pocket knife at the venue itself. Seeing the plight of the shooter, the officials finally allowed him to take part. Recalling the incident Gian says: “They must have pitied me.”

In the 1982 Asian Games the prolific shooter performed below expectations. “I did not have good pistols, so I couldn’t take advantage of the home crowd.”

After the Asian Games, Gian continued to win medals for his team. “I qualified for the Los Angeles (1984) Olympics but was dropped from the team without any or reason. I ran from pillar to post but no one came to my rescue,” he said.

However, in Gian’s place another shooter, who was in good books of the officials was given a berth. “The shooter who went on my place finished last in the field of 60,” said Gian. That was the end of it and he quit after the incident.