Shooters stumped as NRAI changes selection criteria week before trials

The national federation’s last-minute change in its selection criteria has irked a few shotgun shooters ahead of the trials that are to be held in Bathinda from September 1.

An earlier schedule, dated August 14, had informed the shooters that the scores of the trials will be counted for team selection for the year 2026. However, a new circular, released on Monday by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), said the scores will not be considered for next year’s team selection.

“In continuation of NRAI Notification dated 12th August 2025, it is hereby notified that the said Notification regarding consideration of scores of Selection Trial 4 — Shotgun (Bhatinda, 1st-7th September 2025) under Selection Criteria 2026 stands withdrawn,” the statement released on the website reads.

“Accordingly, the scores of Selection Trial 4 shall not be counted towards Selection Criteria 2026. This is issued with the approval of the President, NRAI,” the circular added.

This change has stumped a few shooters, who have already booked flights and hotels for the trials.

“Both the hotel bookings and flights are non-refundable and today the federation tells us that the scores will not be counted. This last-minute change means this trial becomes meaningless for a lot of us,” said a shooter on the condition of anonymity.

“For some who need to maintain their rankings, they would still be shooting here but for those who are very low, this trial becomes a total waste of time. Think about them, who now know they can skip this but just cannot because they have finalised bookings. Do not know why the federation keeps changing criteria at the last moment,” he added.

Another shooter said it was being done to favour a few shooters who are close to the federation.

“Earlier the trials were to happen in Patiala, but it was shifted to Bathinda. Now this change comes, a few days ahead of the trials. This is to help a few shooters who shoot badly in Patiala and have registered bad scores lately. Seems only a few are important shotgun shooters,” he claimed.

The earlier circular stated that the trial scores could be considered. “The Trial 4 in shotgun events is being conducted at Patiala from 1st to 7th September, 2025. It is notified that the scores of this Trial may also be considered for selection of teams under Selection Criteria 2026. The athletes are advised to ensure their participation in Trial 4,” the circular said.

The NRAI president Kalikesh Singh Deo denied it was being done to favour any shooter.

“We are not doing any favour. We are only removing the ambiguity that was in the earlier circular that said scores ‘may be considered’. The change is being done on the recommendation of coaches and the high performance director as the trials were being held within three days of a major competition and there was no need to make it compulsory for the shooters,” Deo told The Tribune.