The Gagan Narang who opened the medal tally at London Olympics by pocketing the country’s first medal, a bronze, is contended but nurtures ambitions of winning a medal with a different colour at Rio in the 2016. Gagan Narang had a tumultuous home coming in Hyderabad on Tuesday soon after arriving at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. After being taken around the city, he spoke to reporters recounting the moods in the Village when he was taking his final shot. In a way, although I missed out on the gold and silver, I felt a sense of relief after winning the bronze because ever since the tragic blunder at Beijing, I have been haunted by the nightmare,’ he said. Meanwhile, he made a passionate plea to the State Government and corporate houses to come forward and embrace sports in all sincerity. As a great leveler, sport has an overwhelming potential to change the image of the country on the global canvas. I hope the Government will bring an element of dynamism into the field and promote disciplines where talent is bursting at the seams,’ he said. Gagan Narang, cheerful and modest as ever, said it was imperative that the country swears by a forceful sports culture and bring about a string support system if the athletes have to perform at the most coveted championships. “I urge the Andhra Pradesh government to provide me with infrastructure support and financial assistance. Combined with my own expertise in the field, as an active shooter, I can produce the next champions from the State,’ was his clarion call. Responding to the pleas, Dr TRK Rao, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP), who was seated alongside the Olympian, assured total support. I can guarantee you that the range that was constructed for the 2002 National Games would be given a facelift and our hero would be extended all possible cooperation in helping him realise his dream of setting up an academy of excellence like the one he has established in Pune,’ Dr Rao said. Gagan Narang had in fact expressed regret that the range had to be upgraded because of poor maintenance. UNI
