A disappointed Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore talks about his exclusion from the team for the London Games. Excerpts from an interview:
All your efforts for London Games have come to naught. That must have hurt you…
I am no superman to not feel the pain but I have learnt to turn pain into energy.
You have always raised voice about NRAI’s selection policy. This time you preferred to remain silent...
Last time, the selection policy was being applied in retrospect, adversely affecting many shooters. Being a top medallist, It was my responsibility to speak up for the benefit of the sport. Courage and conviction always find support, so the individual does not have to stand alone, as it is evident from news articles and TV coverage.
The NRAI has to submit the final team list by March 12. Will you put your case forward before that?
National interest appeals to those who put the nation first. To others the same emotion is repugnant. The Indian Army has objected and is taking up the issue.
You have been in good form and have done well in the past few months.
That’s what we all thought but then maybe I was over qualified for the position (smiles).
Do you think the quota going to Heena Sidhu is justified?
Heena has great potential. She is intelligent, hard-working and has a family that is very supportive. With continued focus, I am confident that she will do well in the sport. This Olympic is too early for her, but then becoming an Olympian as early as possible is everyone’s dream. I can’t blame her.
Do you see any sort of bias within the selection committee?
It’s very unfortunate if that’s the case. It’s the selection of team India and not Team of X or Y.
You have been getting support from shooters abroad. How do you react to this?
I am humbled by their support and words of praise. Competing with them has been a matter of honour for me. This is where I find the sport and the sportsmanship surpassing everything else in life, where we rise above the monotony of winning, losing and compete with mutual respect in a fair tournament. At the end of the day, everyone is a winner by what we learn from each other. I have learnt a lot in my life from being in the company of such great sportsmen from around the world.
Do you think nothing has changed in the past few years and it is time that NRAI should change its policy?
India has tremendous potential. A few of us will win despite the lack of proper functioning within sports bodies. I feel NRAI has a long way to go. They are sitting on a gold mine of talent. There is no alternative but to usher in professional management and bring in transparency of actions.
What will be your plan of action if you get or don’t get the final chance for the London Games?
I have spent enough time in the sport to be certain of the outcome. I will like always be giving my best to everything that I do, help as many as I can and all along take in the experience of life. That’s my mission.
