Until a few decades ago, shooting was considered a royal sport in India, which was mostly limited to the Armed Forces. The entry of Deepali Deshpande proved to be a game-changer, highly encouraging the middle-class aspirants of shooting sports and gradually paving the way for female coaches.
About Deepali Deshpande
Deshpande, 55, a former international shooting player and current national senior team coach, is credited for introducing the game to the masses. During the first 10 years as a sportsperson, she toiled hard towards establishing a proper training system and selection process for coaches. One of the pioneers in the field, Deshpande mentored Swapnil Kusale, who won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the men's 50-metre rifle three-position event. Recently, the Centre rightly felicitated her with the Dronacharya Award.
During her 20-year illustrious career, Deshpande competed in nearly 60 international tournaments, including the 2004 Athens Olympics. She won a silver medal in rifle shooting at the 2004 Asian Shooting Championships. Not to mention, several laurels in the Asian tournaments and the Commonwealth Games.
Deepali Deshpande |
Coming from a middle-class family, Deshpande, a Mulund resident, got drawn to adventure sports during her college days in 1987-88. Taking the first step towards realising her dream, she joined the NCC (National Cadet Corps) and had a brush with shooting, which stirred intense passion in her. From here on, Deshpande set off on a journey fraught with myriad challenges, which failed to deter her.
She recalled that the biggest challenges back then was the non-availability of equipment and the lack of information about the game. It was a struggle to procure pistols and rifles. When ordered from abroad, it would take two years to arrive, said Deshpande. “For almost 10 years, players like me struggled to have access to proper equipment. In 1999, a foreign coach was appointed by the National Rifle Association of India, after which we started receiving more information about the game,” she added.
After retiring, she started coaching in Mulund and in 2012, she was appointed as the coach for the national junior team and held the position until 2019. She was then promoted to coach the national senior team, a role she held until 2022. Even when not holding an official position, Deshpande remained dedicated to her pupils.
Deepali Deshpande |
Deepali Deshpande |
Association Reinstates Deepali Deshpande As The National Coach For The Senior Team
After Kusale won an Olympic medal, the association reinstated her as the national coach for the senior team in 2024. He was the first Indian to qualify for the 50-metre rifle three-position finale event at the Olympics and also the first Indian to win a medal. Moreover, he was the maiden countryman to secure a quota for the event at the World Championships; a sort of tribute to Deshpande as she was the first Indian to win an Olympics quota for the same event.
Over the past three years, students under her wings have been making India proud by winning multiple World Cup medals. In the last Olympics, five of Deshpande's students secured Olympic quotas – especially in the 50-metre rifle three-position event.
“The game is particularly challenging because of multiple variables like wind, lighting and technical aspects, including the requirement for good ammunition. A medal in this event was not expected, but Kusale did it. Another Indian shooter, Akhil Sheoran, won the World Championship, which is equally significant for me,” said Deshpande. Brimming with joy, she remarked, “Previously, India's reputation in this event was not that great. Now, we have won medals at all levels in this event.”
Talking about the challenges, she said, “In our country, there is still a misconception that a female must coach only the women's team. However, I teach male sport shooters as well. When dealing with government authorities, I had to assert my points firmly.”
Deshpande has now set her eyes on winning a gold medal at the Olympics. “When I started playing, just qualifying for the Olympics was a challenge. Then, winning a medal became the next task, which my student Kusale achieved. Now, I am working towards clinching a gold at the Olympics,” said an assertive Deshpande.
Deepali Deshpande |
Deepali Deshpande |
