Sanjay Chakravarty: An ideal grassroots coach who confirmed Indian shooters the trail to glory

In the winter of 1988, Anjali Bhagwat stood on the firing level of the Maharashtra Rifle Association’s capturing vary in South Mumbai, fumbling with a rifle and struggling to load ammunition. The National Championship was simply seven days away. But that was not the explanation Bhagwat had hit the ranges – she was there as a part of her National Cadet Corps (NCC) coaching.
“At NCC, it was only about (shot) grouping (to measure consistency and accuracy) and line positioning. I did not even know shooting was a sport,” Bhagwat says.
From a distance, a veteran shooter, holding a cup of tea in a single hand and a cigarette in one other, watched Bhagwat’s struggles. “Without hesitation, he walked up to me and taught me the basics,” Bhagwat, who not simply competed on the Nationals days later but additionally gained a silver medal, says. “That moment changed my life and the entire credit for that goes to Sir.”
‘Sir’ is former India worldwide shooter-turned-coach Sanjay Chakravarty, who handed away in Mumbai on Saturday on account of Covid-19. He was 79.
Bhagwat was one of many first shooters Chakravarty took below his wings. And from the years that adopted, the Dronacharya Awardee produced shooters who’ve gained a whole bunch of medals in worldwide tournaments, together with the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, World Cup and the Olympics. Some of them who skilled below him embody Deepali Deshpande, Suma Shirur, Anuja Jung, Gagan Narang and Ayonika Paul.

The demise of Dronacharya Awardee coach Sanjay Chakravarty, is a superb loss for Indian Sport. He has been a coach and mentor to our Olympian Shooters. @KirenRijiju extends his heartfelt condolences to his household. His contribution will at all times be remembered. Om Shanti. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ZyiqlZ9kzc
— Kiren Rijiju Office (@RijijuOffice) April 4, 2021
In the method, Chakravarty performed an essential position in growing the game by which India is now one of many powerhouses on the planet. “He was the first one to hold our hands and show us the way. We owe our entire career, entire life to him,” says Suma, a former world report holder and an Arjuna Awardee. “Who knew shooting is a sport! And 25 years ago, who could have dreamt about going to the Olympics? He showed us the dream, showed us the way.”
Self-taught
After a modest taking part in profession, Chakravarty began teaching at a time when the game – particularly rifle and pistol occasions – was nonetheless within the nascent phases of its improvement within the nation.
Chakravarty, who learnt the fundamentals of the game throughout his time with the Navy, was largely self-taught as a coach. “We learnt a lot of things on the go and he made our basics very strong,” Suma says. “But he focused a lot on psychological training, which was mostly unheard of in the early 1990s.”
Chakravarty wrote articles on the significance of visualisation in capturing, ready shooters to stay powerful mentally and centered on understanding, and balancing, the physique, provided that the tiniest of actions can spoil a shot.
The lack of infrastructure, although, made technical coaching powerful. The tools was not simply accessible, ranges have been few – Bhagwat says there was a time at first once they used to practise for 50m occasions however chopping the goal dimension and placing it on the 25m vary.
Narang calls Chakravarty a ‘great grassroots-level coach who made champions.’ “During that time, it wasn’t about technique because getting an opportunity to train was a big task in itself. So, he did all he could to motivate us to keep continuing in spite of the challenging situations,” the Olympic bronze medallist, who was coached by Chakravarty throughout his early days, says. “His style was to recognise the strengths in you and build on them. He would be jovial and motivate you to realise your potential.”

SAI is saddened to listen to in regards to the demise of Coach Sanjay Chakravarty, Dronacharya Awardee.He has given Indian a few of our shooters & been a coach and mentor to our Olympian Shooters. Our heartfelt condolences 🙏 to his household and your entire Shooting fraternity. @OfficialNRAI pic.twitter.com/r0p1C7XMEh
— SAIMedia (@Media_SAI) April 4, 2021
In an interview with Scroll in 2018, Chakravarty mentioned he didn’t marry ‘because shooting was everything for me.’ His college students attest to that. Ashok Karande, a former marksman, says Chakravarty would spend the entire day travelling to capturing ranges and faculties throughout Mumbai to teach children.
“He would not wait for a shooter to approach him, as is the case usually with coaches. If he saw potential in someone, he would volunteer to coach and never bothered about money. In the 18 years I have known him, he never coached for money,” Karande says.
Even after he was recognized with gut most cancers on the age of 70, Chakravarty didn’t cease teaching. “He would tell his family he is going downstairs for a short walk but then take an auto to the nearest range,” Karande provides.
Chakravarty leaves behind a big legacy. After he set the ball rolling within the late 80s and early 90s, shooters began sprouting from totally different areas of Maharashtra. The state, in addition to its capital Mumbai, now boasts of first rate infrastructure whereas Chakravarty’s trainees have now turned to teaching and run academies.
Narang says the Dronacharya Award bestowed upon him in 2017 was a becoming tribute. “He could have stuck to one of his shooters and coached him or her till the Olympics. But he did not want recognition for himself. He instead continued to work behind the scenes and produced many talented shooters. In that sense, he was a great grassroots-level coach.”