The two upcoming World Cup competitions-Munich and Milan-will be crucial for the Indian pistol and rifle shooters, preparing for the Beijing Olympics Games, beginning August 8.

Since the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) will finalise the Indian squad for the Beijing Games at the end of the two World Cup events, the performance of top shooters, particularly those who have achieved ‘quota’ places will be vital to their selection.

NRAI secretary Rajiv Bhatia was categorical when he said that individual performance of all the nine shooters who have booked their quota places would be taken into account before naming the squad for the Olympics.

Inconsistency worries

This is where the hitch is because none of the shooters have been consistent in their performance since their winning the quota berths. While most nations have already decided on their squads, the NRAI seems to have delayed its announcement because of the shooters’s inconsistency.

The officials also reiterated that the shooters who have clinched the quota berths could not take it for granted as “quota” is allotted to the country and not to the individuals. “Therefore all the shooters have to prove themselves consistently to gain the ticket to Beijing,” added Bhatia.

Only Gagan Narang managed a bronze medal in Beijing World Cup while most others could not even make it to the finals.

Though Bhatia does not want to give a firm answer whether there would be any change in the squad, he hinted that the possibility could not be ruled out. This means the next 15 days are crucial for rifle and pistol shooters.

... contd.