Bhaker’s gun manufacturer in a spat with shooting federation

NRAI has issued a showcause notice to Francesco Repich, owner of the Swiss gun manufacturing company, Morini, for his critical comments on the performances of Indian shooters in Tokyo and on Sunday’s weapon malfunction that marred Bhaker’s qualification chances in air pistol. Bhaker shoots with a Morini pistol. Following the notice, Repich has removed his comments on Facebook.

The posts have left Indian shooting officials and Ronak Pandit, Bhaker’s coach who salvaged the situation by repairing her weapon to resume shooting, annoyed.

Repich’s Facebook post on July 24, after India’s other pistol shooter Saurabh Chaudhary finished seventh, read: “If you want to know how to destroy a potential gold medal team, please call Indian shooting federation. They’re going to advise you.”

After Bhaker’s gun malfunctioned, Repich posted that he spoke to a judge of the event and he was surprised that the weapon was not taken to the company’s repair area.

“Who is he? What is his intention? Why is he giving such posts? Is it to disturb the Indian contingent?” Pandit said.

He pointed out that going to the Swiss pistol-maker’s repair area meant Bhaker, in her competition shoes, shooting in an air-conditioned hall and required to keep heart rate under check, would have had to step into the harsh sun and walk more than a 100 metres.

Repich also claimed in his post that Bhaker had not asked for sighting shots (to check the weapon after repairs). “We had asked for sighters but officials were taking time to put the sighters on screen, so we had to start because time was running out,” Pandit said.

A technical official at the range confirmed that the Indian team had asked for sighters.