By Debayan Mukherjee
Kolkata, June 13 (IANS) Shimon Sharif, the organiser of the proposed online shooting league that is set to start from July 4, on Saturday wrote to National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) President Raninder Singh asking him to reconsider the decision to not allow Indian shooters to take part in the first-of-its kind meet.
The NRAI on Friday barred Indian shooters from participating in the online shooting league and also threatened disciplinary action for any shooter who takes part in the month-long affair.
In an email to Singh, which is in possession of IANS, former India shooter Sharif said that the league is not a commercial venture and therefore Indian shooters should be allowed to take part in it as it is done to help them get match practice which they are not getting during this lockdown period.
“As you are aware that we have very successfully organised four editions of the Online Shooting Championships, for which I had also personally invited you. Top shooters from around the world have been participating in these competitions including many Olympic quota winners. The concept was very well appreciated by the shooting fraternity who have been craving for competitions ever since the lockdown was announced,” the email read.
“We would now like to organise the league format of Online Shooting which is non commercial. There is no professional fee being paid to any of the participants of this league. It will give an opportunity to shooters to participate in 3-5 matches over 5 weeks. The leading shooters of India including Olympic quota winners have also shown interest in participating in it.
“I humbly request you for approving the participation of Indian shooters is this non-commercial league so that even our shooters get a chance to be a part of this unique initiative,” it added.
When contacted, Sharif said he does not know why there is a problem from NRAI’s part now when they did not say anything during the four editions of the online shooting championship.
“It is a new concept to keep the shooters busy at a time nothing is happening. We conducted four online shooting championships and there was no objection then. Now why are we having problems with the word ‘league’. This is not commercial. The shooters are not getting paid for it, and it is not anything commercial,” he told IANS.
“Foreign teams will still participate. The ones to lose out will be the Indian shooters. I will go ahead with the league as planned. These are Olympic hopefuls and it was a good opportunity for them to play.”
Sharif said the likes of Manu Bhaker, Abhishek Verma, Yashaswini Deswal and Anish Bhanwala had confirmed their participation. Now with the NRAI’s verdict, they are unlikely to take part.
“The NRAI is the only federation which is trying to discourage the shooters from participating in this league. The ISSF and it’s other national federations don’t have any problem with their shooters participating in this league. The NRAI President is a positive man and I hope he makes a better decision in the interest of Indian shooters,” he added. The NRAI is yet to get back with their reply to Sharif.
–IANS
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