Bindra denies NRAI allegation

Jaipur: India's first individual Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra on Friday denied the National Rifle Association of India's allegations that he was "ungrateful" by not acknowledging its contribution in his success but refused to make further comment to prevent a controversy.

NRAI president Digvijay Singh told a television channel that the success of Bindra and Asian gold medallist Jaspal Rana had been possible due to the system set up by the Indian shooting federation but it seems to have gone to their heads and their statements betray arrogance.

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"I am not fully aware what he (Digvijay) has said but whatever I have been told is that he has called me ungrateful, which is not true," Bindra said.

"In my first interview (after winning the Olympic gold) I had thanked NRAI and all concerned. Later many times I repeated the same thing but raising this issue at this point of time is rather unfortunate. To comment on it would be just a waste of time," the 25-year-old shooter said.

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Bindra urged the media not to fuel the issue. "The matter is unworthy to talk of. The media should also not add fuel to the fire. Don't you agree with me," he asked sarcastically.