Para Asian Games Selection Row Hits Shooters and Cyclists

India’s preparations for the Para Asian Games have been overshadowed by separate selection disputes involving para-shooters and para-cyclists, with shooters seeking an independent inquiry and six cyclists planning a protest at Sports Authority of India headquarters.

The para-shooters have alleged financial corruption and manipulation in the selection process for the Games, which begin in Aichi-Nagoya on October 18. In a representation submitted to the SAI director general on Wednesday, the athletes called for an investigation into alleged irregularities involving officials from the Paralympic Committee of India and its Shooting Technical Committee.

Separately, six cyclists who were not included in the recommended list for the Indian contingent are planning to meet TOPS CEO N S Johal. The Ministry has cleared Arshad Shaik as the only para-cyclist in the proposed squad.

Shooters seek inquiry into selection allegations

According to the representation, the para-shooters alleged that athletes were pressured to pay 20 per cent of government cash awards as a condition for selection. They also raised concerns about the handling of international quota places and qualifying scores, and alleged violations of Sports Ministry guidelines.

Among those raising concerns was Sandeep Kumar, a P4 50m free pistol SH1 shooter ranked third in Asia. Kumar alleged bias in his event and said that Akash, described as Asia’s No. 1, had been overlooked. He contrasted that situation with the selection of Rudrankksh Khandelwal, who was listed as ranked 14th.

The allegations have been rejected by Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia. Speaking to PTI, Jhajharia said the selections were “100 per cent fair” and had been made under Sports Ministry guidelines.

A Sports Ministry source said that genuine grievances would be addressed, but also indicated that the Para Asian Games selection process had already been finalised. The competing positions leave the shooters’ request for an independent examination at the centre of the dispute as the event approaches.

The issue matters because selection for a major multi-sport event determines who will represent India in the coming competition, and the shooters’ representation challenges both the procedure and the criteria they say were applied. The PCI’s response, meanwhile, maintains that the final choices were made fairly and within the relevant guidelines.

Cyclists set to raise exclusion concerns with SAI

The cycling dispute concerns the recommended contingent for the Para Asian Games. Prashant Arkal, Pavan Kumar Kommoji, Sameer, Vasani Babubhai, Shashruti Vinayak Nakade and Lisha Das are the six cyclists named as having been left out. They plan to protest at SAI headquarters on Thursday and seek a meeting with Johal.

SAI’s position is that only Arshad met the required selection criteria. The body cited his fourth-place finish at the Asian Para Road Championships and his fifth-place finish in the 1km time trial at the Asian Para Track Championships.

India’s record in para-cycling at the Para Asiad adds context to the athletes’ concern over the proposed list. The country has won one cycling medal at the Games, a bronze. With the Aichi-Nagoya event due to start on October 18, the cyclists’ planned approach to SAI comes as the finalised selection is being contested by those excluded from the recommendation.

The two disputes involve different sports and different complaints, but both have put focus on how India’s Para Asian Games contingent was selected. The shooters are seeking an inquiry into their allegations, while the cyclists are preparing to press their case directly with sports authorities.