Jitu Rai is contemplating a move to Haryana or Punjab after being ignored by Uttar Pradesh government

Gurpal Singh and Jitu Rai pose with their medals in the 50m pistol event at the Commonwealth Games

Loyal to Uttar Pradesh

Jitu Rai may have brought India laurels by winning a gold medal in the 50m pistol event in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games. However, he is not happy with the way Uttar Pradesh government has treated him over the last 8 years. He is now considering moving out of the state.

Jitu has been in terrific form this year as he won the 10m air pistol event in ISSF World Cup in Maribor, silver in the 50m pistol final and silver at the ISSF World Cup in Munich. He is living in Lucknow for the past eight years and rues that he has not got the kind of recognition that he deserves.

“I was the only shooter representing UP in the 2011 National Games in Jharkhand, I have represented UP in six national shooting championships but still they have doubts, confusion regarding my affiliation,” Jitu told PTI.

“I have been living in Lucknow since 2006 and it is my home. I really feel sad, very sad that I did not get the recognition I probably deserved from UP for winning so many medals and bringing laurels to the state.”

Time to move on...

Jitu has kept his options open.

“Now I will probably refuse to accept their prizes and rewards. I am contemplating requesting other states. If they don’t want to recognise my achievements they can tell me, I might represent some other states. Look at Haryana, Punjab.

“I have all the documents with me; the address in my passport says Lucknow’s 11 Gorkha Regiment Recruitment Centre, what else I can do. Why are they behaving like this, why the confusion. Instead, they instead should encourage and motivate me to do better.”

Rio qualification

25-year old, Jitu will be seen in action at the World Championships in Granada, Spain which starts on September 6. It is an extremely important for the Indian as 64 spots for the 2016 Rio Olympics are on the line.

“I am not thinking too far ahead but I would love to earn a quota place for Rio in the World Championships itself that is my priority number one. Like CWG, it is my first World Championships where top players will compete and it is going to be tough.

“Our camp is starting at the Karni Singh Ranges from tomorrow and once I start practising again i will be able to get a better idea of how I am feeling. My confidence is high right now.

“And obviously, I would also like to win another medal at the upcoming Asian Games, again my first appearance.”