Pistol manufacturer issues ‘unconditional apology’ to NRAI for Manu Bhaker’s pistol malfunction comments during Tokyo Olympics

Pistol manufacturer issues ‘unconditional apology’ to NRAI for Manu Bhaker’s pistol malfunction comments during Tokyo Olympics

Manu Bhaker

Indian teenage sensation Manu Bhaker had an unfortunate outing at the 10m air pistol event. The young Indian shooter had an untimely pistol malfunction which led to a lot of time loss.

The cocking lever of Manu’s pistol broke after the 16th shot in the qualifications of Day 2 and in getting it fixed, the 19-year-old shooter lost more than 15 minutes, which affected her rhythm when she resumed shooting. As a result, she didn’t have much to shoot the decisive shot and finished 12th in the qualifications, just 2 points shy of qualifying for the finals.

Later, Francesco Repich, owner of the gun manufacturing company Morini, said that his repair outlet was located close by but still no one approached him from the Indian contingent for help. He later posted a lot of heat towards NRAI after which the association issued him a legal notice.

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Responding to that, Repich too issued an ‘unconditional apology’ towards NRAI. “I wish to submit an unconditional apology for posting an insensitive comment on my Facebook page. I am extremely sorry for hurting your sentiments. I understand and acknowledge that I should have expressed myself in a more responsible and discreet manner,” Repich said in a mail addressed to NRAI secretary general D V Seetharama Rao.

“However, I would like to clarify here that the sentiment and intention behind my comment was not at all influenced by any vested interest or racism (as apparently interpreted by your kind self), rather it was just a heartfelt expression of an ardent shooting professional,” PTI quoted Repich.

‘I assure you that nothing of this sort will happen in future again’: Repich

Manu Bhaker
Manu Bhaker

Repich expressed the reason behind his inappropriate comments and assured that this won’t happen again. “It was my sheer disappointment that led me to make that insensitive and irresponsible comment just in the heat of the moment,” Repich said.

“I request you to kindly accept my apology and do away with any hard feeling against me or my business. I am proud of my association with the Indian shooting industry and I assure you that nothing of this sort will happen in future again.”

Also read: ‘I tried hard and I did what I could,’ Manu Bhaker thanks everyone for the support and vows to be back at Paris 2024