The selection controversy surrounding India’s para-shooting contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games has intensified, with shooters Akash and Sandeep Kumar publicly questioning their exclusion from the squad despite their rankings and performances.
The two athletes were among those who staged a protest during Thursday’s send-off ceremony, demanding answers over the selection process.
Akash claimed he is currently the No. 1-ranked shooter in Asia, while Sandeep, a P4 50m free pistol SH1 shooter, is ranked third on the continent. The duo questioned why they were left out of the Indian contingent while Rudrankksh Khandelwal, whom they said is ranked 14th in Asia, was selected.
The controversy comes less than two weeks before the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, scheduled from October 18 to 24. The protesting athletes have also submitted a representation to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), seeking an independent inquiry into their allegations.
Akash Questions Why He Was Dropped
Akash alleged that his credentials were overlooked because he had not mentioned shooting coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal as his coach.
“That is why he cut my name. I have been here for two months. He keeps saying that we are doing your work. Every day, he says that we are doing your work, but he is not doing anything,” Akash alleged.
He also questioned the criteria used to finalise the squad, claiming that some of the selected athletes did not have comparable international experience.
“We will provide you with the documents. They (those selected) have not played internationally. And in the national selection trial that has taken place, the scores are being changed,” Akash alleged.
The claims have not been independently established, and the PCI has strongly rejected allegations of manipulation or bias in the selection process.
Sandeep Says No Assurance From PCI
Sandeep also confronted PCI president Devendra Jhajharia during the protest and said he had presented documents to support his case but did not receive an assurance regarding his selection.
Asked what Jhajharia had told him, Sandeep simply replied, “Nothing.”
The protest moved to the porch area of the venue where the send-off ceremony was being held. Jhajharia and India head coach Satyanarayana spoke with the athletes and urged them to withdraw their protest, but the shooters remained firm in their demand for answers.
Sandeep has described himself as “deeply aggrieved” by what he considers arbitrary decisions and alleged violations of the selection rules. His claims are part of a broader representation submitted by the shooters to SAI.
Shooters Seek Independent Probe
The athletes' representation alleges financial corruption, extortion and manipulation in the selection process. Among the claims is an allegation that athletes were being asked to give 20 per cent of their government cash awards as a condition for selection.
They have also alleged manipulation of qualifying scores and international quota places, while questioning the appointment of certain officials involved in the selection process. The shooters have warned that they could approach the High Court under Article 226 if their grievances are not addressed.
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PCI Rejects Allegations
The PCI has categorically rejected the allegations. Jhajharia maintained that the squad was selected according to the prescribed criteria and Sports Ministry guidelines.
“The selection has been done as per the criteria. There has been no discrimination against anyone. The selections are 100 per cent fair and according to the Sports Ministry’s guidelines,” Jhajharia told PTI.
He also dismissed Sandeep’s allegation that he was dropped in favour of a shooter linked to the coach as “false allegations.”
A Sports Ministry source has indicated that genuine grievances raised by the athletes would be examined, while also noting that the Para Asian Games squad has already been finalised and cannot be changed at this stage.