Home Minister Amit Shah expressed deep sorrow over the sudden passing of Jaspal Rana, a renowned shooter and coach, describing it as an “irreparable loss to the nation.” Rana, a multiple-time Asian Games gold medalist who later excelled as a high-performance coach, passed away at the age of 49, leaving the Indian sports community in shock.
Amit Shah praised Rana for his dedication to elevating India’s shooting prowess internationally and nurturing young talents as a coach. Rana’s achievements include winning the Arjuna Award in 1994 and the Padma Shri in 1997 for his significant contributions to Indian sports.
Having transitioned from a successful shooting career to coaching, Rana played a pivotal role in revolutionizing India’s pistol shooting domain. He mentored top shooters, notably guiding Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker to podium finishes, including a historic double bronze at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Recognized for his coaching excellence, Rana was honored with the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 2020, the highest accolade for sports coaching in India. Condolences poured in from various quarters, with tributes coming from figures like Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, PT Usha, and Gautam Gambhir, reflecting the widespread impact of Rana’s legacy on Indian sports.
