Shooting WC pushed back
NRAI proposes dates in May-june when situation might ease
NEWDELHI:THE surge in novel coronavirus cases in India has led to the postponement of the shooting World Cup and has also put the India Open badminton in jeopardy. Both events were scheduled to be held in New Delhi this month.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) approached the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) with a request to postpone the World Cup, scheduled from March 15-25, in the wake of new travel advisory issued by the Indian government, putting restrictions on Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan. Visas granted to nationals of China, issued on or before February 5, stand suspended.
According to the NRAI, 220 athletes from 23 countries had already pulled out of the World Cup before a decision was taken to shelve the tournament.
The NRAI has proposed fresh dates in May and June when the situation with COVID-19 is expected to improve. The hosts want the World Cup to be divided in two parts—the rifle and pistol competition from May 5-12 and the shotgun competition from June 2-9. While the Olympic qualification events in shooting are over, there are still a few berths to be allocated based on world rankings. India is expecting to win at least one quota place in trap through these rankings.
The (ISSF) has also requested the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to extend the Olympic qualification period in the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak. The original deadline of allocation of quota places through the world rankings system is May 31.
The Olympic Games test event in rifle, pistol and shotgun, scheduled in Tokyo from April 16-26, has also been put on hold.
INDIA OPEN DOUBTFUL
The turn of events means that the India Open, an Olympic qualification event in badminton scheduled from March 24-29 in New Delhi, is also doubtful.
“We are continuing our preparation but we can’t say anything right now. The scenario has changed after the new travel advisory. We have intimated the BWF of the current situation and that we have to follow the guidelines of the government,” said Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary general Ajay Singhania.