NEW DELHI India's top pistol shooter Samaresh Jung, who was named the athlete of the Commonwealth Games in 2006, said Thursday he was unlikely to repeat the feat at home this year.
Jung, 40, will compete on home soil at the next Games in New Delhi from October 3-14, but blamed the absence of a coach and lack of good practice facilities for his pessimistic outlook.
Jung won five gold medals, one silver and a bronze at the Melbourne Games four years ago, earning him the nickname of “Goldfinger” and bagging him the David Dixon award as the athlete of the Games.
“I don't think I will be able to repeat the Melbourne feat,” Jung told the Press Trust of India in an interview.
“Last time we had a coach and were better prepared. The absence of coach and training facilities will affect our performance for sure.
“I have enough international experience which is helping me in individual preparation. But we badly need a coach. It's just not possible to give your best shot without any guidance,” he said.
India's pistol shooters have lacked a coach since 2008 when Hungarian Czaba Gyorik's contract was not renewed after the Beijing Olympics.
Russian coach Alexander Melentiev turned down a short-term assignment after being offered the job only till the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November.
Jung said that Indian shooters had been denied any home advantage because construction delays meant they could not train at the Games range in New Delhi.
“We won't have the venue for practice till mid-September, so there is no home advantage,” he said.
Indian shooters won a rich haul of 16 gold, seven silver and four bronze medals in Melbourne, but Jung refused to predict the tally this year.
“It's like a Twenty20 cricket match,” he said. “One who performs on the big day, wins. Past records don't count here. But I hope the Indian shooters do well.” -AFP
