Paris 2024 Olympics bronze medallist Swapnil Kushale's coach Deepali Deshpande ignored for Dronacharya Award

Add as a preferred source on Google

Shooters who have earned medals at the Olympics, World Cup, and World Championships, such as Swapnil Kusale, Arjun Babuta, and Anjum Moudgil, have expressed their backing for their experienced coach, Deepali Deshpande to be honored with the renowned Dronacharya Award.

With a career spanning close to four decades, including her time as a competitive shooter, Deepali has risen as a prominent nominee for this prestigious accolade.

Kusale etched his name in history by claiming the bronze medal in the men's 50m rifle 3-positions event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking the first time an Indian stood on the podium in this category at the Games.

Moudgil has also enjoyed a highly decorated shooting career, securing numerous medals in premier international tournaments, including the ISSF World Championships, World Cups, Asian Championships, and Commonwealth Games.

In addition to Kusale and Moudgil, other prominent shooters who have voiced their support for Deepali include Asian Games gold medalist Sift Kaur Samra, Olympian and Asian Championship gold medalist Arjun Babuta, World Championship gold medalist Akhil Sheoran, and Asian Shooting Championship winner Shriyanka Sadangi. All of them have supported her application with affidavit.

Deepali has been coaching these shooters for several years, playing a pivotal role in guiding them as they advanced from developmental stages to becoming elite competitors in the precision sport.

She began her coaching career in 2010, starting at the grassroots level before taking on the role of head coach for the junior squad when the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) introduced its junior training program. It was here that she began working with athletes like Moudgil, Kusale, and others.

Although the Tokyo Olympics, held under the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, didn't bring the outcomes Deepali had envisioned for herself, she remained steadfast in her efforts. Her hard work eventually paid off, as she successfully guided six of her proteges to secure spots at the Paris Olympics.

"Yes I have applied for the award and after all these years of coaching, the Dronacharya is recognition and motivation for me," Deepali told in an interaction with MyKhel.

"I have no intimation as yet," she further added.

"I fully support her (coach Deepali Deshpande) for the Dronacharya Awrad," Moudgil told PTI. "I hereby declare that I won a bronze medal at the Paris Summer Olympic Games 2024 in the 50 metres Rifle 3 Positions men under the guidance of my coach Mrs. Deepali Deshpande. She has been coaching me since 2012..." Kusale also told PTI.