Olympic silver medalist pistol shooter Vijay Kumar is ‘shocked’ that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) ignored his name for the position of High Performance Coach and did not even consider it necessary to inform him about it.

SAI issued a notice on July 21 appointing five high-performance coaches in athletics, shooting, fencing, kabaddi and archery. SAI had advertised the post in February-March and London 2012 Olympics silver medalist and five-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist Vijay had applied for the post.

The SAI has recommended the name of rifle coach Manoj Kumar, who is associated with the Indian team training at the Paris Olympic shooting range, for the post.

Had the privilege of meeting Sh Vijay Kumar, Olympic silver medalist who has made the country and state proud! ⁦@himachalpoliceBest ! Yes Hindupic.twitter.com/jkdRXER1Cv

— Anurag Chander (@anurag_chander) February 22, 2021

Himachal Pradesh Police Deputy Superintendent Vijay said, “I had applied for the position (performance coach). There was speculation that interviews took place (before the post). Today someone on the phone told me the list has been released. I was shocked and shocked when I saw the list (on the SAI website).

He said: “I fit his (SAI) eligibility perfectly. It said if you are an Olympic medalist you get a direct appointment. As far as I know no Olympic medalist other than me has applied for the post by deputation.

Vijay said, “Previously the appointment of high performance coaches was on a contract basis, but recently SAI has paved the way for experts from other institutes to join and offer their services on a vicarious basis. So based on this, I applied for the position.

“I was shocked that my name was not on the list despite having accomplished so much for the country. I think the person whose name has been recommended has an international medal in team events, but no medal in Asian, Commonwealth Games.

According to Manoj’s profile on the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) website, he participated in four World Cups and the Asian Championships in 2005, but did not win a medal.

When asked if a panel had been formed to shortlist experts for the top position, Vijay said only applications needed to be submitted online.

“I have not received a reply or confirmation to my email, no confirmation. I don’t think anyone received the verification email. The request was to be sent to Mr. Madhav who is in charge of the SAI coaching cell. ,

The letter recommending the appointment of five high-performance coaches is signed by Vanave Madhav Popat, Assistant Director (Coaching) in SAI’s Coaching Department.

Vijay said, ‘I will register my protest. I always asked a senior female shooting coach and SAI employee and she always assured me that the interviews would take place in a month or two. Then suddenly this message came. ,

He said, “I will write to SAI Director General (Sandeep Pradhan) and Sports Minister (Anurag Thakur). It should be pointed out to the higher authorities that a below average person who has achieved nothing at the international level has been recommended for the position. Tell me which eligibility I do not meet.

Pradhan did not respond to phone or text calls, while SAI deputy director general Shiv Sharma said he was “not the right person” to talk about the matter.

An SAI official and shooting coach confirmed to PTI that Manoj had applied for the position of High Performance Coach.

The coach said, “He (Manoj) has 10 to 15 years of coaching experience with the Air Force team. He is currently associated with the national team as a rifle coach.

He said: “Vijay believes that only an Olympian can become a high performance coach. But there is someone who has been coaching with commitment and dedication for 10 to 15 years. I want to ask Vijay how many players he has trained. What is his coaching experience. I agree that he is an Olympic shooter, but this is for the coach’s job, not the shooter.‘(Language)