The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) found itself in hot water after overlooking a key selection clause for the Olympic trials, leading to a scramble to rectify the mistake and ensure fairness for all shooters involved.
During the first two trials to select the Indian team for the Paris Olympics, the NRAI failed to award bonus points to shooters who were deemed to have won Olympic quota places but were not officially awarded them due to quota restrictions. This oversight could have potentially impacted the final rankings and selection of athletes for the prestigious event.
The NRAI quickly called a selection committee meeting, which included High Performance Director Pierre Beauchamp, to address the issue and ensure that all eligible shooters received the bonus points they were entitled to. The committee clarified that shooters who were deemed quota winners should also receive the same bonus points as actual quota winners, as per the selection policy.
Notable names in the “deemed quota” category include Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Ashi Chouksey, Elavenil Valarivan, Nancy, and Arjun Singh Cheema. These shooters could potentially see a significant boost in their rankings and chances of making it to the Olympics with the addition of bonus points.
NRAI Secretary General Sultan Singh acknowledged the mistake and emphasized the importance of inclusivity and fairness in the selection process. The issue was promptly addressed by the selection committee, ensuring that all eligible shooters received the bonus points they deserved.
Overall, the incident highlighted the importance of thorough oversight and adherence to selection policies in ensuring a fair and transparent selection process for Olympic athletes.