The president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), Raninder Singh, categorically stated that there was no review of the selection of the Indian contingent for the Olympics and denied that there was any clarification sought by the Union Sports Minister or the Sports Ministry on the subject, as he addressed the media at the NRAI House here on Tuesday, along with the national selectors and other office-bearers of the association.
Spelling out the preparation plans for the 11 qualified shooters, the NRAI president stated that five shooters, including the Athens Olympics silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, were considered for the one quota place that was sought to be swapped, and pistol shooter Heena Sidhu was the unanimous choice owing to her consistency and world class scores, world rankings and national rating in the discipline.
No bias
Scotching all arguments of bias against Col. Rathore, Raninder Singh pointed out that Heena Sidhu was No. 2 in women's air pistol behind Annuraj Singh who had qualified for the Olympics, whereas Rathore, without the merit points for his World record of 148 out of 150 could only be placed seventh in the country in double trap.
Rathore was the front-runner till he spoilt his case by shooting a score of 128 in the recent trials in Patiala, whereas Heena clinched the argument by shooting 385 in the Kumar Surendra Singh championship around the same time in the Capital.
It was also pointed out that Heena Sidhu had a world ranking of 17 out of 193, while Rathore was 47th. “Merit was the sole criterion,'' he said.
