India's only gold medallist until day seven of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games currently in progress, Jitu Rai sat at the Indore airport with people passing by without recognising India's ace shooter.
Rai, who won gold in the 50m Air Pistol event at the Asiad, was in transit to Delhi via Indore when IBNLive spotted the marksmen sitting undisturbed, unlike the Indian cricketers who are mobbed by people in such situations.
For company, Rai, an armyman from the Gorkha Regiment, had just a CISF jawan sitting with him until two young boys approached him after much hesitation. "Are you Jitu Rai?" they asked.
Rai's achievements are no less than a legendary Indian cricketer and include three World Cup medals in just nine days earlier this year in June. Add to that the fact that he has been among the medals in every competition he has been part of this year, including a Commonwealth and Asian Games gold, Rai has every right to be disappointed for not getting the recognition his gigantic achievements deserve.
"It was very tough competition out there (Incheon)," Rai told IBNLive. "I am proud I was able to win gold for India, which is the only we have won so far. My hard work paid off," the shooter said on Friday, before Indian men's compound archery team won the second gold on Saturday.
Rai is World No. 5 in the 50m Pistol event, though his favourite event is 10m Pistol in which he tops the world rankings. Still, though, he failed to finish in the top three in 10m at Incheon.
"I could have won a medal in 10m as well, but wasn't able to concentrate due to noise from the crowd. Otherwise, I was sure of getting my second medal," Nepal-born Rai said.
Besides the proud of winning a gold medal for India, the disappointment of not getting his share of reward was also visible in Rai's words.
"We win most medals in shooting, but still it doesn't get recognition like achievements in cricket do. When he was asked what he feels the government should do, Rai understandably chose to remain silent. "I can't say anything about that," he said.
The government of Uttar Pradesh, from where the shooter belongs, announced a cash award of Rs 50 lakh for Rai, but that was after Rai said a few months back that he is mulling a switch to another state since his efforts were not getting recognised in UP.
But that doesn't deter Rai from doing what he does the best - shooting the bull's eye. "I am preparing for my next target now, which is the world cup," he said even as the only CISF jawan sitting with him left him alone in the airport's waiting lounge.
Comments
0 comment