Heena, Pandit dismiss conflict of interest slur

Vinayak Padmadeo

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 23

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?”

Not first time

This isn’t the first time the two duo are feeling humiliated. They had to endure tough times before the 2012 London Olympics as the national sports development fund wasn’t released to them in time. Then, just before the Rio Olympics, the officials raised an objection to Pandit being designated as Heena’s coach under the TOP funding scheme. In January, the Sports Ministry blocked Pandit’s appointment as the High Performance Director of the Indian rifle and pistol team. Subsequently, the National Rifle Association of India hired him in that capacity.

Where is the samman?

In the context of the conflict of interest allegations made against himself, Pandit brought up the case of Rathore’s son, Manavaditya, a budding trap shooter. “This conflict of interest nonsense has to stop at least in measurable sports like shooting,” Pandit said. “If the minister’s son shoots less than others, can he be declared the winner? Or should we ask the minister to step down because his son is also a sportsperson? No, because this would be baseless! If the minister cannot change the results of his own son, then similarly how can I do anything detrimental to others to benefit Heena?”

“I’m a former shooting champion, and also a management student and law graduate. Instead of using me to make India’s Olympic dream come true, the minister seems to be lost in personal grudges,” he added. “Heena is a champion. She deserves this ‘suvidha and samman’ that if any of her requirements is not satisfactory, the minister should be humble enough to call her to clarify. Give her respect. What is he in office for — to serve, facilitate and empower the players, right?”

Should we get divorced, asks Pandit 

• In an earlier interaction, Heena discussed the “bizarre” scenario wherein the Ministry officials were ready to pay him to coach shooters apart from her. “The TOP scheme doesn’t consider Pandit as my coach, but the same Pandit will be paid if he trains any other shooter,” she said. “But not me! Sports Ministry may have been cheated by other players, who put their family members as their coaches... But they should look at merits of each case. I’m one of the top shooters of the country. I am telling you that he is my coach. Have I no credibility? This is not right!” Pandit then posed a pertinent question: “Should we get a divorce? Will you (Sports Ministry) pay me then?”.