Para Shooting World Cup in jeopardy following suspension of Paralympic Committee

The four-year term of the PCI ended on January 31 this year and, as per the ministry, the elections should have been held before the expiry of the term.

The hosting of the Para Shooting World Cup in India next month is in jeopardy following the sports ministry’s decision to suspend the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) for not holding elections on time.

The Para Shooting World Cup, to be held at the Karni Singh Ranges here from March 6-15, is the first-ever mega para shooting competition allotted to India and offers 24 Paris Paralympic quota places. More than 500 pistol, rifle and shotgun shooters from 52 countries are expected to compete in the competition and aim to secure Paralympic quota places in the last tournament of the qualification cycle. Several top Indian para shooters are also in the fray for Paralympic quota places.

However, following the ministry’s decision on February 2, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the prestigious event at a time when the PCI is in the final phase of confirming entries of competitors by name, arranging their visas, staying and putting in place a technical team for the conduct of the competition. The ministry had on February 2 issued an order suspending the PCI’s recognition for "intentional delay" by the national body "to elect a new executive committee" as per the National Sports Code. The four-year term of the PCI ended on January 31 this year and, as per the ministry, the elections should have been held before the expiry of the term. The PCI has scheduled the election for March 28 this year.