|
It has been a great year for Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra, who gave the country its maiden individual Olympic gold medal at the Beijing Games in August. Bindra looks back at 2008 in a candid chat with TWF correspondent Akash Roy l
From being the country's first world champion in shooting to emerging as its maiden individual Olympic gold medallist, the 26-year-old Abhinav Bindra has displayed nerves of steel and a dogged determination over the years to attain the highest sporting glory. Growing up in an affluent Chandigarh family, Abhinav had the advantage of a private shooting range at home, but the mild mannered shooter has always been down to earth and kept a low profile despite his success at various international events.
How do you reflect back this year?
Well, what can I say, it could not have been better. My dream to win an Olympic Gold Medal came true. Will remain one of the most memorable year/ time of my life.
Do you believe that it is possible for Olympic sports to grow in this country? Is it actually possible to patronise sports other than cricket?
It is. We must first have a mindset towards that in amongst everybody involved in Olympic Sports. That will also include you to ask such questions and question the growth of Olympic sports in India. We finally have an Olympic gold and it's a reality now. It's also the responsibility of the media to cover sports outside cricket and give them their due.
Has life changed for you after winning the Olympic gold?
Not for me as a person, but of course there has been a lot of interest around me from the people of India and the media.
You haven't participated in any event after the Olympics? Is there any specific reason for that?
It's an Olympic Year, what else can better the Olympic Games in an Olympic year. For me the season ended right there and then. Of course there was the World Cup Final, but for me personally it's not really an important competition and I have given it a miss on previous occasions also. And it's not that one just goes on competing in competition one after another. There is a plan a sportsperson follows and it is not just a random thing. Shooting is not like cricket where you play one series and go right into another. We plan our years on with a goal and that being the Olympic Games and work our way around training and competition to give it our best during the games.
What is you target next year?
I have never in the last 15 years discussed my targets with the media and would like to keep it that way, but whatever I do I will do with full commitment and dedication
We have now some shooters, including you, who have done extremely well in the international circuit. Do you feel India shooting is coming up and where do we stand in the world?
Are you kidding with me! India is not just coming up still, we are a force to reckon with. Just look in the air-rifle section. We have the Junior and Senior World Champion from India, Olympic Champion and also world record holder from India. We have won medals at Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Cups, - you can't just say we are coming up. Indian shooting deserves a better compliment than that!
Do you think the government is doing much to promote sports?
The government spends money but I believe the money should be well directed. We must have goals. Goals such as winning five medals in 2012 and then systematically pursue those goals. The government is the only contributor financially to Olympic sports in India. It's time corporates look beyond cricket, which has enough money to sustain itself. We need an efficient system with targets and goals.
Can one still succeed in our system? Is our system in a sense, still unable to nurture talent?
The above answer will give you an insight on my thinking. Once things are systematic and efficient I am sure support will filter down to the grassroots. It is very important for us to grow.
Do you have any plan to promote shooting?
I have come out with a book which will help shooters train better and get a wealth of knowledge on hand, working on ways to make air-rifles more accessible to the public so that younger kids are attracted towards the sport.
Your father has some plans to open schools across the country in your name. Can you elaborate on it?
My family and myself have plans to open schools across the country. The schools will have good sports facilities and world class technical know how so that strong foundations are laid. It will help promote sports culture among kids apart from the regular curriculum of education.
How do you handle the celebrity status? Are you happy with it or does the constant media scrutiny irk you?
The celebrity status is ok at the moment and I have handled it well by being balanced. At the end of the day every one has the right to scrutinise, but what matters is if I am living up to my own
|
){kind=link}