Shooters off for C'wealth meet amid controversy

India's top shooters left on Tuesday for England to take part in the fourth Commonwealth shooting championships, leaving behind sports officials trading charges over lack of ammunition.

Shortage of ammunition has forced a desperate Sports Authority of India to turn to trap and skeet shooters, who also import cartridges and clay pigeons (used as targets) to keep the show going.

The SAI has shot off letters to several shooters asking them to lend a part of their ammunition. The request, SAI officials say, is routine.

But the National Rifle Association of India says SAI has not imported any ammunition for two-and-a-half years, and this has led to shortages even during routine practice and at training camps.

SAI officials claim their consignment has only been delayed and they are only borrowing ammunition because there is an emergency.

Baljit Singh Sethi, secretary-general of the NRAI, told IANS that the World Cup was held here last year without the SAI supplying ammunition to shooters.

"For two to three years SAI has not imported any ammunition, and I must have sent about 15-20 reminders to the SAI on the issue," he said.

"Paucity of funds could be the main reason for this," said Sethi, who will leave for Bisley on Friday. The championships will be held August 24 to 31.

"I hope the SAI gives me a Letter of Credit so that I can negotiate with dealers at Bisley," he said.

He said he had asked O.P. Bhatia, executive director of the Training of Elite Athletes and Management Sports or TEAMS, which is part of SAI, for a Letter of Credit.

Bhatia was not available for comment, but another top official associated with shooting defended the SAI. He said it was not the first time shooters had been asked to lend ammunition.

He said if there was a delay in receiving a consignment, SAI always borrowed ammunition from players and returned them later.

The official said a Letter of Credit could not be given to anyone. "It is a virtual draft given by the bank. How can we give it to NRAI? There is a proper procedure for all this."

Shooters are entitled to import, through NRAI, 10,000 rounds of cartridges every year at subsidised rates while the ammunition they get from SAI is free. The SAI official said shooters' personal quota was enough to practice with.

He, however, agreed that ideally a SAI official could accompany Sethi to Bisley to negotiate with ammunition dealers.

India's ace rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra, who is among the 34-strong squad that will take part at the Commonwealth championship, has also qualified for the World Cup final, the sport's most prestigious event, which will be held in Munich from August 21 to 26.

Indo-Asian News Service