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Para-Shooters Allege Corruption in Asian Games Selection
Some Indian para-shooters say there were unfair and dishonest actions when the team for the Para Asian Games was chosen.
They allege that athletes were asked to give officials part of their government prize money to be selected.
They also say some scores and places on the team were handled unfairly.
Shooter Sandeep Kumar said athletes with better rankings were passed over.
Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia says the team was chosen fairly under the rules.
The Sports Ministry says it will consider the athletes’ complaints, but the team selection is already final.
The shooters say they may ask a court to investigate.
The accusations have not been established in the articles.
Para-shooters have asked for an urgent independent inquiry into alleged extortion and manipulation in selections for the Aichi-Nagoya Para Asian Games.
Their representation alleges officials demanded 20 per cent of athletes’ government cash awards as a condition of selection.
The shooters also allege that wild-card places and qualifying scores were manipulated, and that two of 15 international quota places were surrendered.
Shooter Sandeep Kumar alleged that selection decisions overlooked higher-ranked athletes; PCI president Devendra Jhajharia rejected the accusations and said selections followed merit and ministry guidelines.
The Sports Ministry said grievances would be addressed but the selection was finalised; the shooters said they may seek High Court intervention.
- Who
- Indian para-shooters, the Paralympic Committee of India, and PCI president Devendra Jhajharia.
- What
- Shooters called for an independent inquiry into alleged extortion and manipulation in Para Asian Games selection; the PCI denied wrongdoing.
- Where
- India; the shooters submitted their representation to the Director General of the Sports Authority of India.
- When
- The representation was submitted on Wednesday; the report is dated October 7. The Games are scheduled for October 18–24.
- Why
- The shooters allege that financial demands and manipulated selection criteria affected who was chosen for the team.
Shooters’ allegations
PCI’s response
Selection integrity
Shooters’ allegations
The shooters allege extortion, manipulated scores and quota allocations, and departures from ministry criteria.
PCI’s response
Devendra Jhajharia says selections followed the prescribed criteria and Sports Ministry guidelines, with no discrimination.
Individual selection decisions
Shooters’ allegations
Sandeep Kumar alleges that higher-ranked athletes, including himself and Akash, were passed over for Rudrankksh Khandelwal.
PCI’s response
Jhajharia called the allegations false and denied that Sandeep was dropped in favour of a shooter linked to the coach.
Key facts
- Competition
- Aichi-Nagoya Para Asian Games
- Games dates
- October 18–24
- Alleged payment demand
- 20 per cent of government cash awards
- International quota places
- The representation alleges two of India's 15 places were surrendered.
- PCI president
- Devendra Jhajharia
- Possible legal action
- The shooters said they may approach the High Court under Article 226.
- Ministry response
- A Sports Ministry source said grievances would be addressed but selection was finalised.
Quotes
Devendra Jhajharia
President of the Paralympic Committee of India.
“Athletes are being coerced under severe duress into paying an illegal kickback of 20 per cent of their sanctioned government cash awards to designated committee office-bearers as a mandatory pre-condition for national team selection.”
rediff.com
“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.”
rediff.com
theprint.in
Sources
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