New Delhi: Ace shooter Jitu Rai may have added a Commonwealth Games gold to his ever-increasing tally of medals but the Lucknow-based ‘Pistol King' is unhappy with the Uttar Pradesh government's ignorance towards his achievements and is mulling migration from the state.
Even after winning three World Cup medals in nine days in June this year, Rai remains an anonymous figure in Lucknow and has got little due in the last 8 years of his stay in the city.
“I was the only shooter representing UP in the 2011 National Games in Jharkhand, I have represented UP in six national shooting championships but still they have doubts, confusion regarding my affiliation,” Jitu told PTI.
“I have been living in Lucknow since 2006 and it is my home. I really feel sad, very sad that I did not get the recognition I probably deserved from UP for winning so many medals and bringing laurels to the state.”
Rai kept his reputation intact by clinching the gold medal in the recently-concluded Glasgow event, with a new CWG record.
The option to move out of Uttar Pradesh is open for the 25-year-old Nepali.
“Now I will probably refuse to accept their prizes and rewards. I am contemplating requesting other states. If they don't want to recognise my achievements they can tell me, I might represent some other states. Look at Haryana, Punjab.
“I have all the documents with me, the address in my passport says Lucknow's 11 Gorkha Regiment Recruitment Centre, what else can I can do. Why are they behaving like this, why the confusion. Instead, they instead should encourage and motivate me to do better.”
Rai, world number 4 in the event, gave ample display of his class by taking the honour in the men's 50m pistol event. He took no time in asserting his authority and take control of the proceedings.
The shooter is now looking forward to the World Championships, to be held in Granada, Spain, from September 6. The tournament assumes significance as 64 quota places for the 2016 Rio Olympics will be up for grabs.
