Heena, Pandit dismiss conflict of interest slur

New Delhi, March 24

Heena Sidhu and Ronak Pandit have spoken up for the first time about the frustrations of being snubbed countless times by the Sports Ministry.
Heena is a former world No. 1 pistol shooter, Pandit the observer of the Indian rifle and pistol team. They also happen to be a married couple.
Yesterday, the Sports Ministry removed Pandit’s name from the list of India’s official squad for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games because he is married to Heena.
The two are very upset over this. Heena today vented her anger on social media: “I have been shooting for 11 years now and training with Pandit for the past 6 years. And for 6 yrs I have been having this fight. Be it funding for my coach, travel or even acknowledgement. I am mighty tired.”
Pandit went a step further and trained his gun at the Ministry for failing to recognise his credentials. Ronak has represented India in over 55 international competitions and won 40 medals in them, including gold at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and silver at the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
As coach, apart from training Heena, Pandit has been instrumental in shaping the careers of Ruchit Kapadia (2010 junior World Championships), Ruchita Vinerkar and Priyanka Susvirkar (both have represented India in World Cups) and Shahzar Rizvi, who won gold in the 10m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico, earlier this month.
Enough of ‘husband’ excuse: Pandit
Pandit is particularly upset with Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore for “not giving respect” to a shooter of Heena’s stature. “Things have only got worse since Mr Rathore assumed office,” Pandit told The Tribune. “The minister and his ministry seem to have forgotten that they sent me to over 50 international competitions. As coach, it’s not just Heena but four other international players who have been trained by me, including Shahzar Rizvi. So enough of this husband excuse!”
“They’re striking off a coach who has delivered a two-time Olympian, two world record holders, an ex-world No. 1, three World Cup gold medals and three Asian Championship gold medals!” he fumed. “In 2017 all three World Cup gold we won in mixed team through Jitu Rai and Heena came while I was there as a field coach. Who else can boast of such a record?”