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For the Indian shooters preparing for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, there is a major bad news. Rifle coach Lazlo Szucsak, who is credited with mentoring several top shooters - including Gagan Narang and Anjali Bhagwat, has quit his post. He decided to pack his bags after, allegedly, receiving shabby treatment at the hands of the government officials. According to unnamed sources, he terminated his contract, even though six months of his tenure was still remaining.
It was on the 1st of March 2009 that Szucsak gave his notice, in which he had stated that he intends to leave at the end of the month. It is said that he was feeling insecure about his job. The officials who had promised him to extend his contract till the Commonwealth Games 2010, failed to do the same. When the news of Szucsak's resignation reached the national camp in Pune, the shooters out there admitted to being shocked.
Szucsak's exit will be a huge loss for the Indian shooters, especially the juniors. He was one of the top coaches in the world and his absence will also affect India's preparations for 2010 Commonwealth Games. Szucsak was currently working with a core group of 40 shooters - all potential medal winners at the Asian and world level. He had already served India for six years, in two stints, and since after the Beijing Games, was on short-term extensions. Szucsak has been roped in by Iran for a four-year term and will start his new job from next month.
