We’ve never had so much talent at same time, says Jaspal Rana

Four-time Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana knows exactly the level of competition in the event. With the current squad as junior national coach, Rana tells Rutvick Mehta that unnecessary pressure is being put on Manu Bhaker and her co-teen shooters that can do them more harm than good

How different are the challenges at the Asian Games compared to Commonwealth Games?

There is just no comparison. Commonwealth Games is good competition, but nothing like the Asian Games. I would rate the competition at Asian Games probably as high as the Olympics. There is China, which has been No. 1 in shooting for a long time now.

How do you analyse the Indian squad for this Asian Games. Do you believe it has the right mixture of youth and experience?

It’s a good sign that some of these teens have beaten proven senior performers to be here. But to be honest, I think we would’ve been better off with a little more experience in the squad. These youngsters are good, but this competition is at a very high level, margins are as small as one second. Plus, the team events have been removed, which is really unsportsmanlike. So yes, a bit more experience was needed here.

There are many youngsters in this squad, shooters like Manu, Anish and Elavenil who have done really well off late. How difficult will it be for them to handle the pressure of expectations, considering they are still quite young?

Look, there has already been pressure on them. They’ve done well throughout the year so far, and have only set the bar higher. But that doesn’t mean that we put more pressure on them. Everyone wants to win a medal, but you can’t win everything everytime. There is just too much unnecessary pressure on them, and they aren’t even mature enough yet to handle it. We just don’t allow them the freedom to express themselves due to the burden we put on them. 

We need to create winners for the 2020 Olympics. We need to create a fleet of young shooters, not just one person standing out. We always tend to focus on short targets, and that is dangerous.

So, what have you told them to keep them as free of the burden as possible?
I’ve always tried to keep them grounded all the time, considering the amount of money and everything else they are getting right now. It can just get out of control at times. And that can play on their minds. But I also have my own limitations, beyond which I cannot control an individual. Not everyone is the same, and that is the challenge. These kids have to be groomed very, very carefully.