Para Asian Games selection Corruption Allegations : There have been allegations of corruption in the selection of the Indian team for the Para Asian Games starting from October 18 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. There was a lot of commotion during the farewell ceremony of the Indian contingent going to Japan on Thursday. Several para-shooters protested outside the venue, alleging corruption and manipulation in the selection process. During this, Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) President Devendra Jhajharia tried to convince the protesters. However, they continued their protest by raising slogans before airing their grievances.
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A group of para-shooters has alleged corruption in the selection process and demands for money. The shooters have accused the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and its Shooting Technical Committee (STC) officials of corruption, extortion and misappropriation of funds and demanded an independent investigation. In a memorandum submitted to the Director General of Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Wednesday, the athletes alleged “unlawful embezzlement of money”, “blatant corruption” and violation of sports ministry guidelines. The most serious allegation in the complaint is that, “As a condition of being selected for the national team, athletes are being forced to illegally donate 20 percent of their sanctioned government cash awards to designated officials of the committee.”
The para-shooters also alleged that international quota places were not awarded solely on the basis of ranking and performance. He claimed that financial considerations also played a role in deciding who would get the available spots. According to him, out of the 15 international quota places available for India, two places were given up because the athletes in the front row allegedly refused to meet the demands related to money. The athletes also accused the selection committee of changing the qualifying scores, ignoring Sports Ministry rules and changing the earlier selection panel without giving any written reason.
P4 50m Free Pistol SH1 shooter Sandeep Kumar, ranked 3rd in Asia, also alleged that Rudraksh Khandelwal, ranked 14th in Asia, was selected ahead of Akash (who is ranked No. 1 in Asia) and him. He said he was “deeply saddened” by the arbitrary decisions and violation of selection rules. The shooters also raised questions on appointing a person as technical expert and director of operations and alleged that the person had no record of participating in any official shooting event.
However, PCI President and two-time gold medal winner in javelin throw Devendra Jhajharia completely rejected these allegations. He told a news agency, “The selection has been done on the basis of fixed criteria. There has been no discrimination against anyone. This selection is 100 percent fair and as per the guidelines of the Sports Ministry.” Jhajharia also rejected para shooter Sandeep's allegation that he was kept out so that a shooter associated with the coach could be given place.