Ace Shooting Coach Jaspal Rana Dies at 49; PM Modi expresses grief

New Delhi, June 11: Renowned Indian shooting coach and former Asian Games gold medalist Jaspal Rana passed away at a Delhi hospital late Wednesday night. He was 49.

According to National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, Rana had recently undergone a medical procedure after falling ill during the Indian contingent’s return flight from the ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany. He was immediately hospitalized upon arrival in New Delhi and underwent a procedure to have a stent fixed.

Rana was serving as the high-performance coach for Indian pistol shooters and played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of several athletes. He notably mentored Manu Bhaker, guiding her to a historic double bronze medal haul at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over Rana’s demise, describing it as a profound loss to Indian sports. In a social media post, the Prime Minister said Rana brought immense glory to the nation through his achievements in shooting and made an equally remarkable contribution as a mentor who guided young athletes with dedication. He said Rana’s commitment to excellence and discipline earned him widespread admiration.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also condoled Rana’s death, calling him an exceptional athlete, coach and a kind-hearted person. He said Rana played a significant role in popularising shooting in India and termed his passing a great loss to the sporting fraternity. (Agencies)