The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), locked in a legal battle to uphold its stringent selection criteria for the Paris Olympics, has surprisingly bent the rules for one marksman, allowing him to participate despite lower scores than required. Trap marksman Karan, an Army shooter, missed the NRAI’s cutoff for shotgun selection trials by two points but was given a special dispensation to compete, while several others who shot identical scores during last year’s National Championships were not considered. As per the NRAI’s official letter issued in November, shooters with a score of 110 in senior men’s trap during the 66th National Championship (October-November, 2023) were eligible for the trials held between December 2023 and March 2024. Karan shot 108 in the National Championships, making him ineligible based on the established criteria. However, his recommendation from the Army prompted the NRAI to make an exception, while the same courtesy was not extended to a dozen other shooters with identical scores. Karan subsequently competed in a series of four selection trials and is currently ranked 15th, failing to make the national squad. NRAI secretary Rajiv Bhatia defended the decision, stating that Karan is a “budding” shooter and that his “recommendation had come from the Army.” “We did give an exception as he is a budding, good shooter. There was a difference of just two points and he has been shooting good scores. That’s why we introduced him in the trials for selecting the teams for World Cups, World Championships, everything (including Olympics)”, Bhatia explained. “We cannot simply go by the rule book… There was a recommendation from the Army to allow him (for national trials) because he had shot very well at the National Games (in Goa).” Ironically, the NRAI is currently engaged in a legal battle with some Olympic aspirants in the Delhi High Court, where it is insisting that only the top five shooters in rifle and pistol would be allowed in the ongoing trials. This stance has drawn criticism from former national coach and legendary pistol shooter Jaspal Rana, who has accused the federation of not following international norms. When asked why the trials were not opened for marksmen who shot identical scores at the Nationals, Bhatia responded, “I think we allowed him under a special criteria because of his previous scores.” He emphasized that giving an exception in trials did not guarantee Karan’s selection in the national squad for international competitions like the World Cups and World Championships. “So, was he selected for the World Cups? ‘No’, we just gave him an opportunity,” Bhatia clarified. “Every state recommends shooters to be included (in trials), and we go by the merit. A marksman can shoot a bad score in a competition. One day you can shoot a bad score.” Bhatia further stated that if Karan had topped the trials, he would have been considered for the Olympic squad. “If somebody is performing, then why not (name him in the Olympic squad). How can we not consider him (for Olympics if he had performed)? Aim is to select the best athlete,” he said. However, he stressed that Karan is not currently in contention for any international competitions due to his low ranking. “But he is not going for any competition. As on today, he is nowhere in the national ranking. I think his ranking is very low (after the trials). But if he had beaten the field, he would have been (in contention)”, Bhatia added. The NRAI also justified the exception for Karan as an effort to promote shotgun shooting, which has fewer participants compared to pistol and rifle disciplines. “Shotgun, we have to promote as (the numbers are very less) compared to pistol rifle and other categories… it was a recommendation of the Army Marksmanship Unit, which is an affiliate unit of the NRAI,” Bhatia explained. “It was only one case, we did not open it for everybody. Just one time exception.” The NRAI’s decision to make an exception for Karan has raised questions about the fairness and consistency of its selection process, especially in light of its ongoing legal battles over strict criteria. The federation’s justification based on Karan’s potential and Army recommendation has sparked debate about the role of individual recommendations and the need for transparent and objective selection criteria.
NRAI Bends Rules for Marksman Despite Lower Scores, Sparking Controversy
