India could risk facing strict action from shooting’s world governing body – including and not limited to a potential removal as a host nation for future international competitions – after not allowing shooters from Pakistan to compete at the ISSF World Cup in New Delhi.
A release from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) on Wednesday, 20 February, confirmed that Pakistani athletes had been denied visas to participate at the year’s first World Cup, which officially begins on Thursday, 21 February – ending wide-ranging speculation regarding the same.
Relations between the fractious neighbours threaten to hit rock-bottom after a terror attack in Pulwama on 14 February martyred 40 CRPF jawans.
The ISSF, in its release, has said it will be considering the consequences for India over the “urgent situation” caused by the refusal of visas to Pakistani athletes.
“ISSF World Cup in New Delhi faces an urgent situation as Pakistani athletes cannot get entry visas to participate in the competition, due to the terrorist attacks happened last days in India,” said the opening of a statement issued by the body on Wednesday evening.
“The ISSF and the Organizing Committee of the competition are taking all efforts to solve the situation to avoid the discrimination of the Pakistani team,” it added.
The latter part of the statement could be more worrying – and incriminating – to India.
“Besides that, the ISSF and the Organizing Committee are discussing the possible consequences for India as a host country for future international competitions, in all sports.”ISSF
Confusion, and Controversy
Pakistan’s shooting association had indicated on Tuesday, 19 February, that their entry had been denied by the Indian High Commission. Indian counterpart NRAI (National Rifle Association of India), however, seemed to not have the same information as of Wednesday afternoon, when it addressed the media ahead of the World Cup.
“I can only tell you that they were supposed to come today ... it is up to the government to issue the visa,” said NRAI Secretary-General DV Seetharama Rao.
“The government has not asked us to not allow them – that’s up to the government. If the government does not give them the visa, we abide by that. We cannot do anything.”
Pakistan’s National Rifle Shooting Federation (NRSF) President Razi Ahmed had earlier told PTI about its shooters not being granted permission by Indian authorities.
“We were supposed to fly out by Wednesday morning as the championship begins from Thursday but we were not issued visas today so the visit is as good as off,” said Razi.
“I was a bit worried about getting the visas after the Pulwama incident and our fears have come true. It is disappointing that our shooters will not get a chance to try to qualify for the Olympic Games.”Razi Ahmed, Pakistan NRSF President
Pak Demand Two Quotas be Dropped
Two Pakistani shooters – GM Bashir and Khalil Ahmed – were expected to compete in the rapid fire pistol category at the World Cup, as the event also served as a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
After being denied visas, Pakistan's shooting federation on Wednesday, 20 February, asked the international body to drop the two 25m rapid fire pistol quotas for 2020 Olympics, in the New Delhi World Cup.
"The ISSF has received a letter from the Pakistan federation, requesting it not to offer quota places in the events their shooters were scheduled to participate. This is what the ISSF secretary general said," a National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) official said.
A total of 503 shooters from 58 countries will be competing for top honours with eight of the 10 events offering 16 quota places for the Tokyo Games.
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