Controversy Erupts Over India's Asian Para Games Shooting Team Selection

A controversy has erupted over the selection of India's shooting team for the Asian Para Games, with several para shooters staging a protest outside the venue of a farewell event for Asian Games athletes on Thursday. The protesting athletes alleged irregularities in the selection process and raised slogans demanding answers. Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president Devendra Jhajharia and other officials met the shooters and attempted to address their concerns. However, the protesters continued their demonstration.

Shooter Akash alleged that he was left out of the team because he did not identify chief coach Jai Prakash as his personal coach. Another shooter, Sandeep, alleged that Prakash had offered to help him secure selection in exchange for 20 per cent of the cash reward provided by the government. These are allegations made by the athletes and have not been independently established. The PCI, meanwhile, rejected claims of irregularities, maintaining that the shooting team selection process was conducted without any wrongdoing. The controversy has brought the selection process under scrutiny, with the athletes' allegations and the committee's response presenting conflicting accounts.