New Delhi: The para-shooters protesting against alleged corruption in the selection process for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Para Asian Games met Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya here on Friday and shared their concerns about the “poor” administration of the sport.
A three-member contingent of shooters met the minister and reiterated the charge that the Paralympic Committee of India had relaxed norms to accommodate four shooters who did not meet the selection criteria for the Games beginning on October 18.
Sandeep Kumar, para-pistol shooter ranked third in Asia, had earlier alleged bias in the selection process, claiming that Rudransh Khandelwal, ranked 14th in the continental list, was selected ahead of him and Akash, the current Asian No. 1.
“The Minister heard them and a practical resolution to their issues is being thrashed out. The deliberations are still continuing on how this situation can be best resolved,” a top Ministry source told PTI.
The para-shooters had sought an urgent independent inquiry into alleged financial corruption, extortion and manipulation in the selection process for the Para Asian Games.
In a representation to the Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Wednesday, the shooters alleged “illicit monetary extortion, brazen corruption” and violations of Sports Ministry’s guidelines by PCI officials and its Shooting Technical Committee (STC) in selections for the Games.
“PCI feels that since the issue has been highlighted in the media and if they send the names now, it will be an insult for them.They are taking the stance that ‘we have surrendered the quotas and nothing can happen now’,” said one of the shooter present in the meeting.
“We told the minister that the PCI is harming the country’s prospects by not sending the athletes…who is going to compensate that loss,” he added.
The meeting with the Minister came a day after the shooters protested at the send-off ceremony for the para contingent that will participate in the Games.
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