Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 12 expressed grief over the passing of legendary Indian shooter and high-performance coach Jaspal Rana and termed it a “profound loss to the world of Indian sports.”
Rana, who coached double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, passed away at a New Delhi hospital following medical complications at the age of 49.
Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi acknowledged Rana’s contributions to the nation both as an elite athlete and a mentor.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Jaspal Rana Ji. His passing is a profound loss to the world of Indian sports. He brought immense glory to the nation through his extraordinary achievements in shooting,” PM Modi wrote on X.
“Equally remarkable was his contribution as a mentor, shaping and guiding young athletes with great dedication. His unwavering commitment to excellence, discipline and service to the sporting world earned him immense admiration.”
“My thoughts are with his family, friends and the entire sporting fraternity in this hour of grief. Om Shanti,” PM Modi added.
One of India’s most decorated pistol shooters, Rana won 15 Commonwealth Games medals and multiple Asian Games golds during his distinguished playing career.
Following his retirement, he transitioned into a highly successful coaching career, establishing a robust talent pipeline for India by mentoring superstars like Manu Bhaker, Saurabh Chaudhary, and Anish Bhanwala. He was conferred with the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 2020.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his condolences, calling Rana’s demise a “massive loss to the Indian sporting world.”
