By IANS,
New Delhi: Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi Wednesday met Abhinav Bindra’s father A.S.Bindra to sort out the differences between the Olympic champion shooter and the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).
Kalmadi told reporters that he will talk to the NRAI and find “permanent solution” for Abhinav’s participation in international events without disturbing his training schedule.
Abhinav was left out of the national squad for the first two WOrld Cups and well as the Commonwealth Championships. The NRAI and Abhinav differed on the training-cum-competition schedule of the shooter, who wants his scores in international tournaments to be the benchmark for his selection.
“Abhinav is our lone Olympic gold medalist and he has our full support,” Kalmadi told reporters.
“We have to see what the coaches say and find a way forward. He has got a strenuous training scheduled which cannot be disturbed. So we have to find a permanent solution.”
Kalmadi said that his request to allow Bindra to follow his own training schedule and consider his international scores for selection in national team is being considered.
“I will talk to the NRAI because I can’t take any decision on my own. We want him to win more medals.”
Abhinav’s father said he has put in his request with Kalmadi during the meeting.
“I have put our request across. He (Abhinav) is little disturbed. My motive is that elite shooters who are training abroad should be brought to the same platform as other shooters for selection in the national team by considering their international scores,” senior Bindra said.
“Also, there should be better communication among IOA, sports ministry and the national federation.”
“Abhinav has spearheaded the issue but he is not pointing finger towards anybody. We are not asking for any finances. His training schedule has been devised by chief professor of sports science in Munich University. He is following the same training module for 15 years. He is our lone Olympic gold medallist and is under more pressure to perform. Pressure could prove counterproductive for shooters,” senior Bindra said.
“Till now he got a free hand on following his own schedule and he has got used to it. So let us cooperate with him and allow him to train the way he likes.”