After shooting contingent's Rio failure, Abhinav Bindra asked to head NRAI independent inquiry

Despite 12 shooters representing India, it was the veteran Bindra who came the closest to winning a medal.

New Delhi: The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) recently announced the setting up of an independent inquiry to look into reasons for the team's spectacular failure in Rio.

According to a report on ESPN.in, former Olympian Abhinav Bindra has been requested to head the inquiry.

Despite 12 shooters representing India, it was the veteran Bindra who came closest to winning a medal.

The 'objectives and frames of reference of the panel' is yet to be officially communicated to the 2008 Beijing gold medalist.

NRAI President Raninder Singh expects the process to be wound up "in the next 2-3" weeks. Despite this being the first occasion since 2004 Athens Olympic that shooting failed to fetch India a medal, he has refused to tender in his resignation.

"My sport is the only one at the Olympics where we've had so many athletes get so close to getting into finals or actually getting into them. It is not an excuse for not winning medals but you have to see the role of an administrator separately from the role of an athlete. I have taken responsibility for it but I see no reason to be unceremoniously told to march off into the wilderness. I think I can serve my sport better if I use my experience of what I've seen and learnt over here and after interacting with my athletes and coaches," Singh told the website.