Society

Home On The Range

Having an affluent background helped where the system didn't

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Home On The Range
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Father Bindra admits candidly, "Abhinav is not a product of the Indian sports system. Of course, he’s today the nation’s son, but it would have been difficult for him to accomplish all this without the family’s wealth—to meet the expenses of foreign coaches and physiotherapists, the special rifles and other equipment. I’ve even made aRs 1 crore Olympic-standard, fully-airconditioned shooting range on this estate for him to practise in."

The estate Bindra Sr is talking about is a 13-acre sprawl housing their palatial Rs 17 crore farmhouse. The family has six dogs and a retinue of retainers. One stately room, with sofas thrown in, displays Abhinav’s medals neatly framed in gold. "From the time he won his first medal at the age of 13," says the proud father, "I’ve spared no expense on his sport, because I was convinced that he had it in him."

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But not every wealthy family is willing to fund its children wishing to participate in competitive sports. Perhaps the Bindras were eager because of the family’s strong sporting tradition. Mother Babli was a national handball player; Abhinav’s grandfather, the late Col Bir Singh, played for the services’ hockey team spearheaded by the legendary Dhyan Chand. "He’s his mother’s son as he has inherited more of her traits," the elder Bindra concedes. "But in winning gold, he has displayed the focus and determination I am known for."

Unlike other sportspersons, Abhinav doesn’t have to worry about making a living once he retires from competitive shooting. His father says Abhinav will eventually enter the family business. "He doesn’t like our meat processing business," he says, "but takes a keen interest in my weapons business. We’re the only suppliers of Walther rifles and pistols in India. And I plan to hand over the five-star resort business (Abhinav Futuristic Ltd) to him too." Born with a silver spoon, ending up with gold.

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