My mind has been shattered: Abhinav Bindra

National Rifle Association of India has left Abhinav Bindra hurt to a point that he has threatened to quit the game.

He is India’s first ever Olympic gold medalist, but the recent treatment meted out to this champion by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has left Abhinav Bindra hurt and frustrated to a point that he has even threatened to quit the game.

In an exclusive interview with Swati Chaturvedi of Zeenews.com on her chat show ‘Kahiye Janab’, the shooter reveals more about the entire controversy and future plans. Swati: Whenever an athlete represents the country, he plays for the pride that comes along with it. You have won India its first Olympic gold in history, but are still sad and even thinking of giving-up the sport. What is the reason behind this? Abhinav: I have been in the sport for the past 15 years. I have worked really hard and given my entire youth for the sport…for my passion. My training for the past few years has been very individual, where I have trained with the best in the world. I am the current world and Olympics champion and I want to defend the title, a feat that nobody else has managed to achieve in the past. But, it can only be done with a professional attitude and that is all that I am asking for. Swati: You may be the defending champion, but looks like at present you are literally defending yourself against the NRAI. Abhinav: The present situation is such. I am very disturbed and my mind has been completely shattered. Now, even if they say that you can do whatever you want, things will not improve much as the damage has already been done. I have to find peace of mind to re-gather myself and that will be a tough challenge. If I am still not able to take the pressure, then I will give another person a chance because I am a very fair person. Swati: When you won the Olympic gold, did you ever think that you will be treated in this manner? Abhinav: What can I say…there are a lot of expectations on me. If I have to rise up to those expectations then I will have to work through a strategy and that is all that I am demanding. Swati: But, did you ever expect such a treatment? Abhinav: Nothing surprises me in Indian sport. The problem is that sports related decisions are taken by people who have never even played the sport. You have to bring world class coaches, give them some time and then see the results.Swati: Who do you think is the villain number one? Is it the NRAI? Abhinav: It’s not about villains. It’s just that the sport is being compromised with and the strategy is being overlooked. Swati: Do you think that there is too much politicization of sports? Abhinav: There is too much pressure on the sportsmen. The administrators should try to reduce this pressure and not increase it. Athletes play for the country’s pride and if that pride is taken away then the entire exercise seems meaningless. Swati: Jaspal Rana was denied bullets. When more than Rs 1600 crore can be spent on taking the Commonwealth delegation to London, then what do you think is the reason behind this? Abhinav: I don’t know how the entire system works. It is good that the government has spent so much for the Commonwealth Games, but they should also ensure that the money is put to good use. Swati: The sports administrators can be termed as free-dom fighters as they want everything to be free for them. There are people who should actually be in politics. What’s your take on that? Abhinav: What can I say. The politicians have a lot of power, which if they want can be put to use for the improvement of sports, but the power should be decentralized and given to coaches to get good results. Swati: When you won the Olympic gold, did the NRAI even write you a congratulatory letter? Abhinav: I am sure they are proud of me, but I haven’t received any letter. Swati: Besides you, recently the hockey players were also protesting. There must be something seriously wrong with the system. Abhinav: It is a mixed setup. Some people are good, who care for the sport and its development. The entire system should be streamlined and people should be made accountable so that the athletes’ interests are places as priority. Swati: One thing that the entire nation wants to know is that will you participate in the upcoming Commonwealth Games? Abhinav: No. I will not participate in the games as they have already announced the squad without me. I do not want to take somebody else’s place who has already started training for the event.Swati: Won’t all this send a wrong signal to the youngsters? Do you see more Abhinav Bindra’s coming up in future? Abhinav: There is a lot of talent in the country, but it will have to be nurtured. The system will have to improve a lot. Adapted By: Vaibhav Arora