Preferring assembly seat over an Olympic berth

Everytime the Asian Games are near, officials in the government and the Sports Authority of India suddenly recall the name of one Jaspal Rana, the original poster boy of Indian shooting.

Everytime the Asian Games are near, officials in the government and the Sports Authority of India suddenly recall the name of one Jaspal Rana, the original poster boy of Indian shooting. Then he is asked to deliver. Like he did, yesterday and today, three golds in all 8212; two today, including the team, and a world record equalled to boot 8212; all the golds that the hugely primed Indian shooting contingent could muster at the Doha Games. It isn8217;t anything new for Rana: 8220;I8217;ve done it before,8221; he says nonchalantly.

This time around, though, the scenario is a trifle different. At the top, looking down, he sees a bigger picture, a greater role in Indian society, specifically in politics. He has been a primary member of the BJP since 1997, and has even been a key member of its Yuva Morcha for a while. But this time, possibly, it8217;s further ahead for him. His father has also has his stint in politics and the son is set to follow.

8220;I haven8217;t decided on a place and time yet,8221; Rana told The Indian Express, 8220;and not that I have made any plans regarding the nitty-gritties either, but I will probably be running for an Uttaranchal assembly seat at the next general elections.8221;

It8217;s bad news for Indian shooting, though. 8220;His interest has wavered, he is thinking of it politics more and more, and I guess India will miss a good shooter at the top. I think he is the best talent in this category in the world 8212; in the near future,8221; said national coach Sunny Thomas.

Why politics? 8220;Because in public life it will be better than the bad politics of sport. At least there I will be sure who my enemies are and who my friends are. In Indian sports you know nothing,8221; said Rana. 8220;I have to fix some people. My father and I have given a lot in the last 16 years, and have received nothing in return.8221;

Strong words, but that8217;s how Rana would want to talk. At the Main Press Centre of the Games, word was spreading about the impending world record equalling feat of Rana. Indian Olympic Association secretary general Randhir Singh was around. When this correspondent asked Singh to go to the range and give a boost, he said 8220;yes, chalo, abhi8221;. At the Lusail shooting range Rana would not believe it. 8220;He won8217;t come, you see,8221; Rana told this correspondent. Till such time that Rana had finished his dope test Singh had not arrived.

Not that this proves anything, but how much more important than the athlete is the sport itself? What constitutes the basis of the sport at any level? Why do the Ranas always talk against the system? Is it just that it fetches many more column centimetres imprint and more time on telly? 8220;They don8217;t see me as a shooter, successful or not,8221; says Rana. 8220;They see me as a problem, as the problem, simply because I always speak my mind.8221;

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From the top of the hill, sermonising is surely an option, sometimes it is a necessity. 8220;They8217;ll say I8217;m saying all this today because I have won. Talking about politics and all that. But I have been in politics for quite some time, and the urge gets stronger.8221;

He will surely not be in the Indian squad for the Beijing Olympics 8212; 8220;there is no time to change over and prepare for the Olympic events, I will think of the Games next to that,8221; he says, but if his second passion 8212; politics 8212; takes over faster, India will surely miss more such golden opportunities.