NRAI initiates the process of hiring experts and coaches for the next Olympic cycle
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has started the process of hiring High-Performance Directors and coaches for the next Olympic cycle as the current set of experts will end their tenure after the conclusion of the Paris Olympics 2024 in August.
However, all the experts who are part of the current set-up will be eligible to re-apply for the posts of High-Performance Director, foreign and national coaches. The selected candidates will conclude their tenure after the end of the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
The Association has set July 31 as the deadline to receive the applications for the post of HPD, foreign, and national coaches.
Notably, a record number of 21 shooters have made the cut for the Paris Olympics 2024. After the Indian shooters failed to bag a medal in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, this is the perfect time for them to break the jinx.
“NRAI will discuss each and every case” - Secretary Rajiv Bhatia
Pierre Beauchamp is currently serving as the Indian shooting team’s High-Performance Director while the two-time Olympic medalist Munkhbayar Dorjsuren is part of the pistol team as a foreign coach. On the other hand, Thomas Farnik is the foreign coach for the rifle team.
“The Sports Authority of India always follow the Olympic cycle in terms of hiring coaches and based on that we have advertised for the posts. Anybody who wants to render their services again will have to apply,” NRAI secretary Rajiv Bhatia said in a statement.
“The NRAI will discuss each and every case and based on the merit they will be selected,” he added.
Furthermore, Rajiv Bhatia emphasized his views on whether the performance in the Paris Olympics will count towards the selection or rejection of the current set of coaches in the next Olympic cycle.
“Naturally appointment will be valid from after the Paris Olympics. The contracts of the current set of coaches are till August 31," he said.
Additionally, during the recent Olympic Selection Trials (OST), several shooters alleged that foreign coaches were absent during the exercise. Bhatia suggested that these shooters should be queried about whether they were utilizing the services of those foreign coaches.
Moreover, Bhatia also confirmed that Marcello Dradi, the foreign trap coach, had ‘exited’ due to medical reasons.