Comeback man returns home

Even if he wished to, the 30-year-old could not have escaped from the maddening crowd of friends, well-wishers and journalists. Just half an hour before his estimated time of arrival, the reception area bore no warning of the chaos that would ensue a short while later. As time went on, the drumbeats got louder, the garlands were made ready, and the crowd swelled as the arrival of the man of the hour loomed large.

Winning the gold certainly may have made Rana feel like was walking on air, but at the airport his feet were not on the ground for long either; he was hoisted on to the shoulders of his acquaintances almost immediately after he emerged out of the glass doors of the lounge.

His elation notwithstanding, the ace shooter did have some strong words to say, 8220;The credit for the honours I have achieved must go the federation National Rifle Association of India. The government and the Sports Authority of India SAI have not done anything,8221; he said. 8220;Our gold medal haul could have been much more if our ammunition and facilities had been improved. I will not tolerate it if such treatment is meted out to shooters in the future,8221; said Rana, who won three gold medals in Doha.

There are many unanswered questions with regard to Rana8217;s future in the sport, but the resolution of uncertainties can wait. The present moment is simply one for the ace marksman to savour.