Jaspal Rana appointed junior pistol coach

Multiple Asian Games gold medallist, Jaspal Rana, has been appointed chief coach for junior pistol shooters by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).

Asked about the term, the NRAI said it will be reviewed sporadically.

According to NRAI advisor Baljeet Singh Sethi, Rana will be entitled to get a monthly salary of Rs 50,000, with the other coaches getting Rs 30,000.

The appointment was made on Monday.

"We are confident that Jaspal, with his experience, can help the junior shooters to take the next step. He has a great track record and should come in handy," Sethi said.

"We have not set a time-frame for his tenure but the performance of shooters under him will be reviewed from time to time," he added.

Another NRAI official said, on condition of anonymity, that Rana's appointment will be discussed in details during an internal meeting with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Saturday.

A triple gold medallist in the 2006 Doha Asian Games, the 36-year-old's rich haul helped India substantially increase its medals tally.

Rana is excited at the prospect of getting to guide the young shooters and expressed confidence when asked how challenging it would be to live up to NRAI and his own expectations.

Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images