India’s launch of the Para-Asian Games marred by a huge protest by shooters

India’s exclusion from the Asian Para Games contingent was thwarted on Thursday, October 8, after the Para-shooters staged a dramatic protest at the venue. The para-shooting contingent, which has made serious allegations against the coach and the governing body, has stepped up its protest against the selection process for the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

The shooters gathered outside the venue, carrying placards and raising questions about their exclusion from the Indian contingent. Among the protestors were Sandeep Kumar and Akash who questioned why they were left out despite their ratings and performances.

WHAT IS THE PROTEST ABOUT?

The protest unfolded as Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya formally unveiled Team India’s new jersey and gave the Indian contingent the nod ahead of the Asian Para Games in Japan. Organized by the Paralympic Committee of India, the ceremony was attended by several prominent para-athletes and officials, including PCI President Devendra Jhajharia.

However, the Gunners took the opportunity to publicly voice their concern over alleged irregularities in the selection process.

In a statement submitted by the protesting athletes, they alleged that the athletes were pressured to pay a certain percentage of their government prize money as a condition for selection.

“The athletes are under strong pressure to pay an illegal commission of 20 percent of their approved government prize money to designated committee members as a mandatory condition for national team selection,” the national team said.

The shooters also challenged the appointment of an individual as technical expert and director of operations, claiming that the individual had no record of participation in official competitive shooting.

Another major point of contention was the selection of the shooting contingent.

Sandeep, the third-ranked P4 50m SH1 free pistol shooter in Asia, said he was “deeply saddened” by what he described as arbitrary decisions and violations of selection rules.

He specifically questioned the selection of Rudrankksh Khandelwal, who the shooters said was ranked 14th in Asia, ahead of him and Akash.

Akash, identified by the shooters as the top-rated para-shooter in Asia, also claimed that his credentials were overlooked as he did not appoint shooting coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal as his coach.

“That’s why he cut my name. I have been here for two months. He keeps saying we are doing your work. Every day he says we are doing your work but he is not doing anything,” Akash claimed.

Sandeep said he had approached the authorities with documents supporting his case but had not received an assurance from Jhajharia.

PROTEST CAST SHADOW WHEN SENDING

The protest came against the backdrop of an already complex selection process for Indian para-athletes. India’s quota for the Asian Para Games was reduced from 130 to 60, leaving several athletes disappointed after not making it to selection.

Head coach Satyanarayana defended the selection process at the elimination ceremony, saying the reduced exercise quota made it particularly difficult, but insisted the athletes selected met the required criteria.

“This time the quota has been reduced. It was a quota of 130 and we have gone from 130 to 60. Seventy people have been reduced,” Satyanarayana said.

He acknowledged that athletes who expected to make the team would naturally be disappointed, but maintained that the final selection was based on fitness and talent.

Meanwhile, the shoot selection controversy cast a shadow over what was otherwise supposed to mark the start of India’s campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

Mandaviya urged the para-athletes to focus on their goals and winning medals for the country, while para-badminton star Pramod Bhagat was named India’s flag-bearer for the Games.

But the protesting shooters left the send-off ceremony with their selection issues still unresolved, turning what was supposed to be a celebratory occasion into a public confrontation over the procedure used to select the Indian para-shooting team.

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