After their team was denied visa to participate in the ISSF Shooting World Cup starting in the Capital on Thursday, Pakistan National Rifle Association (PNRA) has called upon the world body to take away two Olympic quota places from the event.
Pakistan were to send two shooters and a coach to take part in the Rapid Fire Pistol events starting here at the Dr Karni Singh Range on Thursday. However, the visa was denied as India took a tough stand following the Pulwama terror attack.
The PNRA now wants both the Rapid Fire Pistol quota places to be taken away from the ongoing Indian event and be shifted to Beijing World Cup (April 23-May 1).
Two Pakistani shooters, GM Bashir and Khalil Ahmed, and their manager were to take part in the event. Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has also backed the call made by PNRA and has written to International Olympic Council (IOC) to take tough action in this regard.
Meanwhile, the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) has warned India of consequences. “The ISSF World Cup in New Delhi faces an urgent situation as Pakistani athletes cannot get entry visas to participate in the competition,” an ISSF statement stated on Wednesday.
It has been learnt that Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) have already got enough hints by IOC and ISSF regarding the possible consequences for India as a host country for all future international competitions, in all sports.
Also, India’s bid to host the 2032 Olympics and 2030 Asian Games have suffered a major jolt in the wake of blocking visas to Pakistan shooters.
ISSF secretary general Alexender Ratner minced no words as he warning India to get ready for tough sanctions in near future. Ratener, who is in India for the shooting WC, has also asked for a time to meet sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
“To be honest, not giving visas to any athlete is a serious issue for ISSF and IOC. I cannot comment on the sanctions right now as there is proper forum to address that,” said Ratner.
“The main demand of Pak federation now is to shift two quota places from Delhi to Beijing. Again, the decision will be taken by the IOC and not ISSF in this regard. Pak Olympic committee is already in touch with IOC in this regard,” he added.
Meanwhile, NRAI has categorically said that the issue of not granting visas is purely political and all the papers of Pakistan contingent were sent to authorities two months in advance. “I can’t predict the future. We will put forward our point of view as and when the time will come,” said a NRAI official.
