Noida MLA Pankaj Singh remembers late Jaspal Rana at condolence meet, says "his memory will live on in everyone's hearts"
Dehradun, June 24
Noida MLA Pankaj Singh remembered renowned shooter and Padma Shri awardee late Jaspal Rana at a condolence meet, saying that he shared a very close, friendly, and brotherly relationship with the late shooter.
"I knew him as a very simple person who was deeply connected to nature. He was always happy, remarkably positive, and completely dedicated to the sport of shooting. I shared a very close, friendly, and brotherly relationship with him, and we will truly always remember him as a member of our own family. He will always remain in our hearts. His loved ones across the country and the world are deeply saddened by this loss, but his memory will live on in everyone's hearts forever," the Noida MLA said on Tuesday.
Jaspal Rana, a Dronacharya Award-winning coach and recipient of the Arjuna Award and Padma Shri, passed away in New Delhi on June 13 after battling health complications. He was undergoing treatment at a hospital in South Delhi.
Widely regarded as one of India's greatest shooters, Rana enjoyed an illustrious career spanning more than three decades. He remains India's most successful athlete at the Commonwealth Games, winning 15 medals, including nine gold medals, across four editions of the competition.
His achievements also included four gold medals and one silver medal at the Asian Games, while he secured a gold medal at the 1994 World Shooting Championships in Milan with a record-setting performance. Rana also equalled the world record in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol event during the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
After retiring from competitive shooting, Rana dedicated himself to coaching and talent development. As a mentor, he played a key role in nurturing several top Indian shooters, including Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary.
At the time of his demise, Rana was serving as India's high-performance coach for pistol events, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Indian sport.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Very moving tribute from Pankaj Singh ji. It's heartwarming to see our politicians honoring sporting icons who put India on the world map. Jaspal Rana sir's journey from being a world record holder to shaping the next generation of shooters is truly inspirational. The way he mentored Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary shows his selflessness. We've lost a gem. 🏅
While I appreciate the tributes, I wish our system had done more for athletes like Jaspal Rana when they were alive. He got Padma Shri and Dronacharya Award, which is great, but how many shooting ranges do we have in small towns? How many young shooters get proper training? Maybe his passing should remind us to invest more in grassroots sports, not just posthumous praises.
Such sad news. I remember watching him at the 2006 Doha Asian Games where he equaled the world record in 25m Centre Fire Pistol. That was pure class. But even more than his medals, what stands out is his humility. Pankaj Singh ji's words about him being a 'simple person connected to nature' ring so true. We need more sports persons like him who stay grounded despite massive achievements. Rest in peace, sir. 🙏
Had the privilege of meeting Jaspal Rana at a shooting clinic in Bangalore in 2018. He was so patient with young shooters, spending extra time to correct their grip and stance. The man had an encyclopedic knowledge of the sport. His loss is not just India's loss but the world's. The fact that he was still serving as high-performance coach until the end shows his dedication. Truly irreplaceable.
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