Rio Olympic quota winner Sanjeev Rajput to join Sports Authority of India as coach

New Delhi, Feb 3: Rio Olympic quota winner Sanjeev Rajput is all set to become the shooting coach of Sports Authority of India (SAI). With this the 35-year-old Rajput, who hails from Jagadhri in Haryana, has finally got a job since leaving Navy in 2014.

The ace rifle shooter has accepted SAI's offer. Rajput was supposed to join them earlier but had put his plans on hold due to the Asia Olympic Qualifying Competition for Shooting which concluded yesterday. The job is well suited for Rajput as he will be posted at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range which he uses for his regular training.

"I will be more than happy to share my knowledge and experience with the young shooters at the range. Coaching is also a part of training. Many top shooters around the world double up as coaches," Rajput said on his appointment.

After 15 years of service in the Navy, Rajput decided to return home in 2014 as the Haryana government had promised him a job in the Police department. As fate would have it, he was denied the prospective job.

"After I left Navy in 2014 I was assured of a job in Haryana police. When I accepted their offer, I was told by them that a stay order was issued after the change in government. I followed it up many times with them but things did not work out," said Rajput.

Rajput had joined the Navy at the age of 18 and was a part of their shooting team till 2014. "I owe a lot to the Navy for making me what I am today," added Rajput.

Among other achievements globally, he clinched the gold medal at the ISSF World Cup in Changwon, China in 2011. He is also a two-time Olympian and an Arjuna awardee.

PTI