Jaspal Rana, who coached Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, has recently opened up about his ongoing struggle to find a full-time position after the Tokyo Olympics. This was revealed after she won bronze in Paris; she became the first Indian female shooter to win a medal at the Olympics.
In soulful words with RevSportz, Rana talked about the struggles he has faced since Bhaker’s unexpected exit from Tokyo Games. He also shared that there were times when he was criticized and that he had financial problems for three years.
“Now they want my interviews. It wasn’t a problem, I did give interviews but will these people cover my losses in life as well?” Jaspal Rana pointed out while reflecting on how backlash impacted him.
Though happy about Bhaker’s success at the Olympic Games, Jaspal Rana lamented that National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and other sporting bodies failed to provide support financially. Three years ago, his wages stopped coming in leaving him with great hardship.
“I am not anybody; I just worked like Manu wanted me to do. But have people ever asked if I received any monthly pay from National Rifle Association of India or some other company for those last three years? What made me happier is how greatly Manu has improved her performance; all my contribution was just exploiting her potentiality. Now I need to go back home in India again and start everything anew because now I will be going back with nothing,” said Rana.
Jaspal Rana appreciated PT Usha and Captain Ajay Narang for helping him secure his accreditation for the event but confessed it took time to get through further impediments.
Rana got very emotional when he was recounting his feeling insignificant about himself in terms of finance.
“Manu is the star; I am an unemployed coach. I am nobody indeed.. The only thing that brought me back into existence is when Manu came to me for assistance. I have to find employment soon because these three years have been too hard on me. This is something I never wanted to talk about it, but when I go back home after this, I need to ask around if anyone will get me a job,” he said.
