World Cup officials apologise to Indian shooters (Roundup)

NEW DELHI - The local organisers of the shooting World Cup at Dorset in England apologised to the Indian team Sunday after the shooters were harassed and insulted by the tournament officials.

Team manager M. Padmanabhan informed National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) officials that following the news of harassment of Indian shooters, chairman of local organising committee Peter Underhill and Stephen Minto, who was in charge of transportation and accommodation, tendered their apology for the untoward incident at the Southern County Shooting Ranges at Dorset Saturday.

The team bus driver had shut the door even as an Indian shooter was about to board the bus and left him stranded at the range. When the other shooters on the bus strongly objected, the driver turned back and went to the supervisor of the transport department.

World body president Sheikh Salman Alsabah and vice-president Luciano Rossi were also present in the meeting after which the Indian team decided to drop the issue.

Sports Minister M.S. Gill had also taken strong note of the reported harassment of Indian shooters and asked his officers to get the details of the incident so that the matter can be taken up with higher authorities in London.

Gill held a meeting with his officials here Sunday asking them to get details of the incident from the NRAI and the Indian High Commission in London.

“The sports minister, taking note of the media reports regarding the harassment of Indian shooters in UK, held a meeting with ministry officials this (Sunday) morning. The minister has directed officers to get in touch with officials of the NRAI and the Indian High Commission in London to know the full details,” a sports ministry official said.

NRAI secretary-general Baljeet Singh Sethi told IANS that it was a clear case of racism.

“They still consider us as their slaves. Such incidents have taken place in the past as well during the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester,” Sethi said.

Padmanabhan said the transport department officials of the event also misbehaved with the Indian shooters.

Ace trap shooter and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Manavjit Singh Sandhu said a couple of transport officials were very rude with the Indian contingent.

Two days back, two Indian female shooters were forced to get down from the bus, Padmanabhan alleged.

Padmanabhan then shot off a letter to the Indian High Commission informing them about the harassment of the Indian shooters at the event.