COIMBATORE: Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra on Tuesday said shooting in India had grown significantly over the years, while Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad backed the five-time champions’ IPL comeback and confirmed that a head coach would be appointed soon. Bindra and Gaikwad were speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the three-day fifth edition of the SSVM Transforming India Conclave at SSVM World School in Coimbatore.Bindra said shooting in India had grown, with participation rising from around 200 athletes at his first national championship to nearly 20,000 competitors today. He said shooting had entered the school system.Speaking about his contribution to Indian sport, Bindra said his foundation supported 250 athletes across sporting disciplines. He highlighted the Olympic Values Education Programme, which he said was being implemented in more than 75,000 govt schools across eight regions in India.“Sport is something that every young Indian should benefit from and experience. Not every young Indian will become an athlete, but sport can be a guiding light in life,” he said.Recalling his preparation, Bindra said he had weighed bullets and examined them under a magnifying glass for scratches. “For me, every little detail matters. It is a sport of millimetres. You can win or lose a medal by one-tenth of a point,” he said.Bindra welcomed increased govt investment in elite sport but called for focus on grassroots development. He urged young people to take up sports for physical and mental health, saying participation was more important than merely winning medals. “Work hard, persevere, believe in yourself, believe in your dreams and never give up,” Bindra added.Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed confidence that the five-time champions would make a strong comeback in the upcoming IPL season after a disappointing campaign. Gaikwad said leading CSK was a continuous learning process. He acknowledged that expectations were high after succeeding legendary skipper MS Dhoni but said he had accepted the pressure and was enjoying the responsibility.On his goals for the next 12 months, Gaikwad said he preferred to focus on the present. “I don’t think too much about the future. I focus on each day and each match,” he said.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj GaikwadGaikwad said the team was determined to return stronger and urged fans to continue supporting CSK during difficult phases, as they had done since 2008.Gaikwad confirmed that CSK would have a head coach next season, adding that the management had sufficient time to finalise the appointment.
