The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has written to ISSF secretary-general Horst G Schreiber requesting him to consider the case of double trap shooter Ronjon Sodhi for a ‘hardship’ quota berth. Sodhi equalled two world records on his way to winning gold at the World Cup in Belgrade a couple of weeks ago.

Confirming that the letter had been sent by the National Olympic Committee (NOC) to the ISSF headquarters in Munich, National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) secretary-general Baljit Singh Sethi was confident that Sodhi would, in all probability, travel to Beijing to join fellow double trap shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

“I have already spoken to Schreiber and put up the Sodhi's case a ‘hardship’ quota place as he is a deserving candidate. The ISSF secretary-general did give me positive signals, but we will get a confirmation by July 16.”

Sethi also said that the NRAI had already written to the ISSF about Sodhi's case before requesting the IOA to pursue the case with the world shooting body. “We are trying hard to get him a berth, especially keeping his excellent form in mind,” he said.

Asked how a ‘hardship’ berth for Sodhi was possible now with the ISSF having already distributed the wildcard berths to nearly 28 countries — these quotas are generally reserved for lesser countries — Sethi said some countries do return the wildcards if they are not in a position to send good shooters to the Olympics.

“This has happened in the past and we hope that some countries will return their wildcards. The ISSF secretary-general has assured us that Sodhi will be considered first, as and when such a berth opens up. We do hope Sodhi will make it to Beijing,” he said.

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