Gagan not sure of CWG after snub

The Olympics is two years away,and the Commonwealth Games two months apart.

The Olympics is two years away,and the Commonwealth Games two months apart. But Gagan Narang,who had expressed his disappointment at being denied the Khel Ratna award by the government,is clearly not in an anticipatory mood,deflated as he is by the over-sight. Citing lack of motivation,he has put an immediate question-mark on his participation at Octobers Commonwealth Games.

Right now I am not thinking of the future. I am de-motivated and do not know when I shall pick up my gun again, he said on his return to Delhi from Munich,where he had temporarily overcome the dejection of a day before to pick a bronze medal in the 10m air-rifle of the World Championships. I need to take a break,and find motivation,and also speak to my federation,parents,coaches and sponsors, the 27-year-old added.

Narang,World No 2 in the 10m air-rifle,believes hes been denied for three years now and despite his superlative performances which include winning a World Cup finals in 2008 and holding the world record till date,besides a World Cup gold and a bronze in 2009. The news of missing out again this year after being nominated a third time was crushing, the ace shooter said,adding that awards hold immense importance for Olympic sportspersons. Theres no mega sponsorships or endorsements for shooters. Hence these awards matter, BS Narang,Gagans father said.

Despite becoming the first Indian to snare a quota place for the country at the 2012 London Olympics,Narang,on his return declared that he felt betrayed and needed a break to reconsider shooting. The wretched last week for Narang the Khel Ratna was announced last Friday has seen the shooter questioning the futility of racking up good performances in the face of being repeatedly overlooked for the nations highest sporting honour,and meant that the shooter will be digging deep for some motivation in the coming days. I need the break, he stressed.

In Delhi,Suresh Kalmadi offered a brazenly convenient and populist quick-fix to the situation by saying the next Khel Ratna would be Narangs if he won a gold at the Commonwealth Games.

The precise selection criteria meanwhile,remain unknown,though elaboration from the committee would have yielded some clarity,and saved both athletes Narang and winner Saina Nehwal,the embarrassment. A selection committee headed by PT Usha hasnt quite helped to keep the coveted award controversy-free.