More a mismatch than equality With slots cut, India shooters could see fewer medals at CWG

OFF TARGET World shooting body’s decision to expand women’s competition will further erode sport’s popularity

NEW DELHI: India’s hopes of improving its medals tally in shooting at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April have been dented with the organisers slashing the size of contingents.

The reduction across sports disciplines will also affect shooting. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has allocated only 27 slots to shooting, which has been the biggest medal grosser in the quadrennial event.

India won 30 medals (14 gold, 11 silver, 5 bronze) in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. It came down to 17 (4 gold, 9 silver, 4 bronze) at the 2014 Glasgow Games after the Commonwealth Games Federation dropped the pairs event.

A total of 30 shooters (17 men, 13 women) competed in Glasgow. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), in a circular, said, “A quota of 135 athletes has been allocated for Indian athletes. Despite repeated persuasion at various levels, the Organising Committee has not enhanced the quota f or Indian athletes.” Accordingly, t he I OA has reduced the number of athletes in every discipline. Shooting has been allotted 27 slots (15 men, 12 women). In 2014, 30 shooters (17 men, 13 women) participated.

The CGF plan to drop shooting altogether from the 2022 CWG (Birmingham) has caused concerns in the shooting fraternity.

Sports minister RVS Rathore recently requested the CGF chief to increase the Indian contingent by 40 given the country’s large population.

During the 2010 Delhi Games, the CGF was so serious about shooting events they had sent a top official from New Zealand to oversee the range preparations for smooth conduct of events.

It’s an irony the CGF is now virtually killing the sport that it nurtured before India became a force.