The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has issued an ultimatum to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), saying that it would be difficult to spare shooters for the National Games — scheduled in Ranchi from November 21 to December 4 — given the busy international schedule of the national team.
“With so many postponements and uncertainty over the completion of the range, we have told the IOA that it would be difficult to release marksmen for the games,” said NRAI secretary-general Baljeet Singh Sethi, adding that he would be going to Ranchi on Monday to take a final call on participation.
“The reports I am getting from Ranchi suggest that the work at the ranges is still far from complete. This is a very crucial year for us in terms of training camps and competitions and preparing for two mega-events — Commonwealth Games and Asian Games — next year.
“So, we don’t want to alter our schedule. It's better the (Jharkhand games) organising committee postpones the event by a year,” said Sethi.
The games have been postponed five times till date due to reasons ranging from political instability, unfavourable weather and failure to complete the infrastructure in time.
{{/usCountry}}The games have been postponed five times till date due to reasons ranging from political instability, unfavourable weather and failure to complete the infrastructure in time.
{{/usCountry}}There are also reports that if the games are postponed one more time, the Jharkhand Olympic Association could lose the right to host them.