Gagan Narang to participate at Commonwealth Games

Moved by the overwhelming support of his fans, Indian ace shooter Gagan Narang said he has got back his motivation and would participate in the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games.

The rifle shooter had earlier threatened to pull out of the Commonwealth Games after being ignored for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna for the third consecutive time.

However, with his family and fans throwing their weight behind him, Gagan decided to take part in the Delhi Games.

"The events of the fortnight were an eye opener for me. An overwhelming response from well-wishers, family and the shooting fraternity has moved me. I have made up my mind to shoot in the coming Commonwealth Games," Narang was quoted as saying in the Indianshooting.com.

"There is no short of motivation when you see so many people support you and they want you to succeed. Doesn't matter now if I did or did not get the award. It is a story of the past for me. I shall start training for the Games shortly," he added.

Narang had decided to take a break after his bronze medal winning performance at the recent World Championship in Munich. But he is back in his elements and will be going to Pune for a training stint as a preparation plan for the upcoming Games.

"I was on a break after coming back from Munich, in this period I consulted my family, my coaches and the federation for my future course of actions. The only answer I got from all of them was shoot to prove a point. Show that you are a champ! And such events are a true test of character.

"Although my achievements of the last four years have been ignored, I have decided to just keep doing my job from now on, which is to win medals and glory for India," he said.

"I feel winning a medal for my county is even bigger than any award. If the government feels I deserve any award in future I will get it but from now on I would never expect it or will even talk about it.

"I am planning to undergo mind training sessions with my mind trainer to focus on the big events ahead," added Narang.

Narang became the first Indian to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics after winning the bronze in the 10 metre air rifle event in the 50th World Championship in Munich last month.