World Cup medallist Apurvi Chandela misses event, Indian shooting team misses out

A day after India’s compound archers failed to turn up for their bronze medal match at the World University Games in Gwangju, the women shooters lost an opportunity to challenge for the podium as they could not field a full team in the women’s 50m three position event.

While Priyal Keni and Aditi Singh took their positions in front of the target, their efforts went in vain as the third member of the team, World Cup bronze medallist Apurvi Chandela, did not show up for the event. Instead, she was on a flight back home. Curiously, tennis player Ronit Singh Bisht too offered his American opponent Martin Redlicki a walkover in the men’s third round. However, the reasons for that could not be ascertained.

The Association of Indian Universities (AIU), meanwhile, was unaware of Chandela’s absence from the 50m three position event. AIU joint secretary (sports) Gurdeep Singh said he would ask the delegation head Raj Kumar Sharma to probe the incident. “I am not aware of it. She was supposed to be a part of the team. I will inquire with the head of delegation about this incident,” Gurdeep said.

It is learnt that Chandela, among countries leading shooters, had informed AIU she will participate only in the 10m air rifle event. The AIU, however, entered her name in the 50m three position individual and team events as well. Priyal and Aditi recorded scores of 568 and 564 respectively but they were not taken into account as India did not field a full team.

Meanwhile, the Archery Association of India (AAI) and AIU have ordered probe into Tuesday’s incident where the compound archers arrived late for their bronze medal match against Italy and forfeited the tie. According to the communication manager of the World Archery Chris Wells, the men’s compound team comprising Gurwinder Singh, Kanwalpreet Singh and Aman was not present at the start of the match against Italy at 10am local time. They are believed to reach three minutes late for the tie.

In a letter to Sharma, Gurdeep said it was worrying that the act of ‘gross indiscipline’ took place in presence of coaches Lim Chae Woong, who was India’s coach at last Asian Games, and Jivanjot Singh.

“You are requested to send your comments on the issue raised in the media based on facts which may be verified at any stage for further necessary action…” Gurdeep wrote in the letter.

AAI secretary Anil Kamineni said they too would also investigate the issue. “This does not concern AAI as the team is sent by the Association of Indian Universities. But many India archers were part of the team so we’re probing the matter,” Kamineni said.