Trigger-happy Rana takes pot-shot at SAI, Sports Ministry

New Delhi, Dec 9 (UNI) Three Gold medals and a world record to boot under his belt, Jaspal Rana took potshots at Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Sports Ministry and said India could have fared even better in the Asian Games had the shooters been provided better resources.

Cynosure of all eyes after his brilliant show in Doha, which outshone the likes of Olympic Silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Rana thanked the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for reposing faith on him but flayed the SAI and Sports Ministry.

''I never had any expectations from either SAI or the ministry.

NRAI, however, stood by me and I owe my success to the association,'' he said, on his arrival at the international airport amid fanfare.

''I am happy that I lived up to the expectations and after 1994, proved myself again in the Asian Games. Fven when we earned quite a few medals in the Commonwealth Games, people were not convinced and apprehensive about our chances in Asian Games. I'm happy that we have proved our mettle on Doha,'' he said.

With little more help from all quarters, the haul of 14 medals could have gone up further, feels the marksman.

''We could have fared even better. But we didn't get enough cartridges and other facilities. We could have won not just three but more Golds. Some of us missed the Gold by a whisker.

''I strongly believe that if we get all the facilities, we can repeat the performance in Olympic as well,'' he added.

UNI RAJ AY SAM RN2005