Jaspal Rana was ignored for this year's Dronacharya award after none of his proteges, including Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary, mentioned him as their mentor in official records, said a member of the 12-member selection panel for the national sports awards.
A lot of debate has been going on about seasoned pistol coach Rana being ignored for the prestigious award, but according to a member of the selection panel none of his wards have declared him as their coach while filing the required affidavits to come under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
While Saurabh has mentioned Amit Sheroen as his coach in the official records, Manu and Anish Bhanwala have named Suresh Kumar and Harpreet Singh respectively as their mentors.
"We went by what the athletes have declared in the official records. None of Jaspal Rana's so-called proteges have named him as their coach in the affidavit filed up to be a part of the TOPS," the member told PTI on condition of anonymity.
"It was a fair decision. How can we award someone when his proteges have not mentioned his name as their coach?
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