New Delhi: Ace shooter Samresh Jung on Wednesday rued the absence of a qualified coach for pistol shooters who have won a bagful of medals for India in the shooting event in the ongoing Commonwealth Games at the Karni Singh Shooting Range.
The likes of Omkar Singh, Vijay Kumar, Gurpreet Singh and Heena Sidhu have far exceeded expectations with their rich medal haul, despite having to train without a coach, but Jung felt the situation is not "ideal".
"It's not ideal," Jung said, before adding, "A coach can plan strategies and the shooters' job is to concentrate on the shooting. But, in the absence of a coach, shooters have to do both. It's not that we don't need a coach if we keep winning medals."
After their solid performances in the Delhi Commonwealth Games, the pistol shooters will be expected to extend their good form in the Guangzhou Asian Games as well, scheduled to held in November.
On taking on Asia's best without a coach in the continental sporting extravaganza, Jung said, "A new coach would not be of much help right now, because, by the time he gets to know the shooters, the Asian Games will be over," the shooter, who's won a silver and a bronze in the Delhi Games, said.
"I will try on my own to try and give my best shot in the Asian Games," Jung added.
Jung, an officer with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), stunned the shooting world by winning an unprecedented seven medals, including four gold in 2006 Melbourne Games. In this edition, though, the shooter just participated in one event. A gold eluded him but he ensured that he finished on the podium at least.
Asked if he was preparing in earnest for the Asian Games, Jung said, "Winning silver or bronze here won't effect my performance in the Asian Games but I am worried about my score. I have to concentrate on my training as there is just one month left."
Jung also lavished praise on Gagan Narang for winning four gold medals in the competition. "He shot pretty well.
Four gold medals means a lot in such competitions and he shot all four of them with Games record.
"Nobody can win everything. And nobody is perfect," Jung said in a thinly-veiled reference to Narang's failure to win six medals and emulate the Delhite's feat.
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