Veteran shooting mentor Sanjoy Chakraverty, who was bestowed with the Dronacharya award recently, talks about his experiences, hunger to achieve more and what India must do to hasten the production of world-class athletes
Sanjoy Chakraverty with his Dronacharya award at his residence in Kandivli recently. Pic/Noel D'Souza
His erudite presence overawed many veteran shooters, the likes of Olympic bronze medallist Gagan Narang, Mumbai's Anjali Bhagwat, Deepali Deshpande and Suma Shirur during their initial stages of training.
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From actively churning the Narangs and Bhagwats to nursing young talents such as Ayonika Paul and Ashok Karande, veteran shooting coach Sanjoy Chakraverty ensured he hit the bull's eye while coaching his students.
Back in 1961
He picked up his rifle after joining the Indian Navy in 1961 and represented India in the World Cup, Asian Cup and Commonwealth Games, but a spot in the Olympics is missing from his resume.
With so many achievements under his belt, Chakraverty, 75, was awarded the Dronacharya award for shooting (Lifetime) on August 29.
Is it mission accomplished? "No. The hunger to achieve more is endless. A coach is never satisfied with what he has done and he too has no clue when the job is complete. I keep encouraging my students to do better," the lanky ex-serviceman said when
mid-day visited his residence at Samta Nagar, Kandivli recently.
Still shining bright in his sunset years, Chakraverty does make it a point to transmit his knowledge to youngsters. "Coaching is like a drug. I go to Vile Parle to coach a few youngsters and if somebody calls me, I'm always there," he said.
The conversation slowly drifted to the pertinent question about the shooting scene in the country and Chakraverty's face fell almost as if he was devoid of any recognition. "A bright future to predict is very difficult. In our country, shooting education is very poor. Coaches are not of good standard because they have not learnt anything. Send Indian coaches abroad and groom them properly because in India, there's no proper machinery. When you can't produce coaches, how can you produce athletes?"
he asked.
'I learnt through coaching'
Citing his own example on how coaches learn, Chakraverty added: "I learnt through coaching. I've been lucky to have good athletes under me who have done well. I did not receive any training abroad. I implemented my own training mechanisms. If by that, the athletes benefit and go on to become Olympians then I'm happy. But if you ask me technical questions then I will never be able to answer. There's no coaching manual."
The Indian culture to keep sports in the background is what makes the scene all the more gloomy, according to the expert marksman. "In our country, if you are rich, you will definitely not take up shooting. If you don't have the money then your family
will allow you to take up sport, at least there you'll become something. No rich person ever becomes a sportsman. This is our culture and it will never change," he moaned.
No proper system
While suggesting education as the way out of the current rut of the Indian shooting scene, Chakraverty also suggested another way out, but admitted it would be a tedious option. "In America or Germany, whoever becomes an Olympian, opens a shooting range. He charges an amount, teaches students and produces another Olympian.
"If something like this could be done, it would be good, but nobody has that kind of money and the system too is not in place. In Mumbai there are clubs, but they are just places where you can fire your bullet and go home," he said.
There are obstacles aplenty, but the dream is still there, though endless. "My stomach will never be full. Whatever is accomplished, I feel it's less. We can perform better. There should be no end to your dream. Else, Milkha Singh would have been the last hero," Chakraverty said.
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