Serbian Shooting Expert Jelena Arunovic Takes Over as Indian Pistol Team Head Coach
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) is set to officially announce the appointment of Serbian shooting coach Jelena Arunovic as the new head foreign coach for the Indian pistol shooting team. The 44-year-old from Belgrade will assume her role following the conclusion of the Asian Shooting Championships, scheduled to take place in the capital Delhi from February 2 to 14.
Contract Details and Tenure
According to sources within the NRAI, Jelena Arunovic will be offered a contract that extends until the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Her annual salary is expected to be approximately 90,000 euros, which translates to around 7,500 euros per month or roughly 8.2 lakh Indian rupees. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has already cleared her appointment, and a formal contract signing is anticipated to occur within the next three to four days.
"The Sports Authority of India has cleared her appointment. A formal signing of contract will take place in 3-4 days. She has agreed to the majority of NRAI's terms and conditions. Her tenure period and salary part have been discussed. She is looking forward to coming to India and coaching our pistol shooters," a source revealed.
Strategic Appointment for Long-Term Goals
This appointment comes at a crucial time for Indian shooting, with several major events on the horizon. The year ahead includes the Asian Games, ISSF World Cups, and World Championships, all leading up to the pinnacle event, the Olympic Games in 2028.
"This is an important year for Indian shooters with the Asian Games and ISSF World Cups and World Championships lined up. Then, of course, you have the Olympic Games coming up in 2028. So, Jelena's appointment has been made keeping the long-term goals in mind," the source added, highlighting the strategic nature of this decision.
Replacing the Previous Coach
Jelena Arunovic will step into the role previously held by Mongolia-born Munkhbayar Dorjsuren, who served as the pistol team's head coach during the Paris Olympics in 2024. Dorjsuren recently departed for personal reasons. Under her guidance, Indian shooting sensation Manu Bhaker achieved remarkable success, securing two Olympic bronze medals in the 10m and 25m pistol events in Paris.
Jelena's Coaching Background and Achievements
Jelena Arunovic's most recent coaching assignment was with the Chinese national team, which she joined in October 2024. Her coaching prowess was notably demonstrated during the Paris Olympics, where she played a pivotal role in fulfilling her younger sister Zorana's long-standing dream of winning an Olympic medal after three previous unsuccessful attempts.
Under Jelena's guidance, Zorana clinched the gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Zorana herself is a decorated shooter, having been a two-time World and European Games champion and a nine-time European Championships winner in 10m air pistol events. Throughout her career, Jelena has primarily coached Zorana, in addition to her stints with national teams.
From Athlete to Coach: Jelena's Personal Journey
While Jelena Arunovic never competed in the Olympic Games as a shooter, she did represent her nation in several World and European championships. Following the 2010 World Championships in Munich, she made a significant career shift, transitioning from an athlete to a coach. She subsequently ran her own shooting club, Crvena Zvezda, in Belgrade, further honing her coaching skills and expertise.
This appointment marks a new chapter for Indian pistol shooting, as the team looks to build on past successes and aim for greater heights on the international stage, with a seasoned coach at the helm guiding them towards the 2028 Olympics.
