Rana blames 'faulty' system, Korean journos for losing Asiad MVP

Dehradun, Dec 17 (UNI) Jaspal Rana today blamed a 'faulty' system of judging and the presence of over 500 Korean journalists for missing out on the Most Valuable Player award at the just concluded Doha Asian Games.

Rana, who won three Gold medals and a silver in the 25m standard pistol and 25m centre fire pistol events, came third in the final voting done by the journalists covering the Gmaes.

South Korean swimmer Park Tae Hwan won the award with 231 votes for his three Gold medals in the men's 200 metres, 400m and 1,500m freestyle races.

The Indian said the sheer number of Korean journalists, who voted for Park prevented him from getting the award.

''It was but natural that 500 plus Korean journalists voted for their countryman and I lost despite having almost an equal number of medals with a world record to add,'' said Rana at a Press function held at the Uttaranchal Press Club here today.

However, Rana ruled out any conspiracy and said he did not feel let down, as to be nominated for the coveted award itself was sort of an achievement.

When asked about the Indian Olympic Association goof up which falsely declared him the winner, Rana said there had been some mistake from the side of either the IOA, organisers or the Federation.

Rana thanked the almighty for his success at the Games which came despite lack of training and poor health.

''It was all due to the blessings of almighty that despite bad health and unfavourable weather conditions, I could manage to clinch three Golds and a silver in Doha Asian Games,'' he said.

The triple-Gold medallist said he was never sure of hitting the target and was himself surprised with the way he managed to perform.

''I am happy as it was the first time that a shooter has bagged so many medals in Asian Games,'' he said.

Expressing his discontentment over the condition of sports in the country, Rana held the centre and State governments, and people involved in sports management responsible for India's poor show at major international events.

''The seriouseness of the situation can be judged by the fact that though Olympics are just one and a half year far no one in Delhi is talking about it,'' he rued.

He maintained that the country was not short of sports talents but infrastructure and facilities. The ace shooter alleged that sportspersons talking against the system's drawbacks are sidelined irrespective of their potential.

When asked about the dismal performance of the Indian Hockey team at the Games, Rana said, ''You can't expect medals from the team by keeping out genius players like Dhanraj Pillai.'' However, he felt some minor disappointments put aside, the overall performance of Indian athletes at Doha was fine.

Asked about the below-par performances of other shooters like Shamresh Jung and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, he said, ''Every player goes through bad phases in his career that does not mean they are down.'' UNI LPT PM RN1610