NRAI amends selection policy for rifle, pistol shooters

New Delhi: Faced with criticism from top marksmen, the National Rifle Association of India on Friday amended its selection policy for rifle and pistol shooters for next year's Rio Olympic Games under which their scores from major international competitions starting from this year's first World Cup will be taken into consideration.

As per the amended policy which will give a leeway to those who compete in more international events, the scores of shooters starting from this year's first World Cup right upto Asian Championships in November will be considered while selecting the rifle/pistol team for 2016 Rio Games.

"The scores of all World Cups in 2015 in all Rifle/Pistol events, World Cup Finals 2015 in Rifle/Pistol events, Asian Shooting Championship in November 2015 in Rifle/Pistol events and 8th Asian Airgun Championship September 2015 will mandatorily be considered for the purpose of calculating average score," the NRAI said in a release.

"In Rifle/ Pistol all ISSF listed Quota Championships commencing with first World Cup 2015 shall be considered for calculation of Final Average Score (FAS) and Merit Points. The Scores of World Championship 2014 shall only be considered for merit points," the federation said.

"This policy will come into effect w.e.f 1st March 2015 and shall cover all events and shooting disciplines for Rifle/Pistol shooters," the release said.

In case a shooter is unable to shoot six scores in the international competitions, he/she will be required to participate in the remaining selection trials in India to complete the seven trial scores including NSCC of which higher six shall be counted towards the calculation of FAS (Final Average Score). 

In case any shooter exceeds the number of international scores, the latest six scores of international competitions along with 59th NSCC score will be considered for average (Final Average Score) purpose.

"Participation in the 59th NSCC is mandatory as the same is one of the 7 (seven) selection trials. The team for Rio Olympics in Rifle/Pistol events will be decided as per rankings after the Final Average Score plus merit points have been added and the Final Score has been arrived at upon completion of the 7 selection scores.

"The lowest of seven scores would be deleted and six high Qualification Scores out of seven scores will be added to arrive at the Final Average Score. The Final Average Score shall be the arithmetic total of six high scores divided by 6.

The final score for consideration of Rio Olympic team shall comprise the Final Average Score + Merit Points," the NRAI said.

It said the Rio Olympic shooting team will be decided before the end of December 2015/January2016.

The NRAI said that the selection policy for the shotgun shooters for Rio Olympics will remain unchanged in every respect.

"The main selection policy that is in force from 14th November 2014 shall continue to remain in force for National team selection for International competitions for the year 2015. ... shall require all shotgun shooters of the core group 2015 to shoot 7 trials in India including the 59th NSCC."