Despite not completing the requirements, a shotgun shooter is allowed to participate in national trials

It seems that the national shooting federation has lately loosened the standards for one marksman, allowing him to compete despite having lower-than-required scores. The organization is now engaged in a legal struggle to defend its selection criteria in the ongoing trials for the Paris Olympics.

While numerous others who shot comparable scores at the National Championships last year were not taken into consideration, trap marksman Karan was permitted to compete despite missing the National Rifles Association of India’s (NRAI) requirements for shotgun selection trials by a margin of two points.

The 66th National Championship (October–November, 2023) was open to shooters who received a score of 110 in the senior men’s trap. According to a letter released by NRAI in November, 2023, shooters who received a score of 110 in trap were eligible for the exercise, which was scheduled to take place between December 2023 and March 2024.

Although Army marksman Karan fired 108 in the National Championships, the NRAI only accepted his suggestion; twelve other shooters with equal scores received no such break.

The shooter did not make the national team despite competing in four selection trials and holding the 15th position at the moment.
According to NRAI secretary Rajiv Bhatia, an exception was allowed for Karan since he is a “budding” shooter and the Army “had recommended” him. This was disclosed to PTI.

We made an exception for him since he is a talented, aspiring shooter. He had been making solid shots, and there was just a two-point difference. For this reason, we included him in the trials for choosing teams for the Olympics, World Cups, World Championships, and everything else,” Bhatia said.

It is not enough to just follow the guidelines (lakeer ke fakeer nahin ban sakte). The Army recommended that he be allowed to participate in the national trials due to his excellent shooting performance in the National Games in Goa.

At the National Games in Goa, Karan—representing the Services Sports Control Board—was the first person eliminated in the trap finals, coming in sixth.

Ironically, the NRAI and a few Olympic hopefuls are embroiled in a legal dispute in the Delhi High Court. The NRAI is adamant that only the top five shooters in rifle and pistol would be permitted to participate in the current trials.

Not less than the great pistol shooter and former national coach Jaspal Rana has criticized the procedure, claiming that the federation is not adhering to international standards.

When asked why marksmen who shot similar scores in the Nationals did not have their trials opened, Bhatia said, “I think we allowed him under a special criteria because of his previous scores.”

Bhatia went on to say that making an exemption during trials does not guarantee a spot in the national team for global events such as the World Cup and World Championships.

Was he chosen to compete in the World Cups? “No, we simply provided him with a chance,” he said. “We consider the merits of each state’s recommendation for shooters to be included in trials. A marksman in a competition may shoot poorly. You may be able to shoot poorly one day.”

Questioned about what NRAI would have done if he had won the trials, Bhatia said, “Why not (name him in the Olympic squad) if somebody is performing?” How are we not going to take him into consideration (if he had competed)? The goal is to choose the top athlete.

“However, he has no intention of competing. He is ranked nowhere in the country as of right now. After the trials, I believe he is ranked quite low. However, he would have been (in contention) if he had defeated the field.”

Since shotguns are less common than pistols and rifles, he said, an exemption had also been granted for the shooter to encourage shotgun shooting.

“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.”We only opened it for one person; it was a single case. One-time only exclusion.”