Supreme Court allows five-time Paralympic shooter to take aim in Tokyo

In his petition, Arjuna Award-winning shooter Naresh Kumar Sharma had contended that the Paralympic Committee of India had, despite his stellar achievements, failed to take into account his actual average score and had thus blocked his opportunity to participate in the Tokyo Paralympics.

The Supreme Court has directed the Paralympic Committee of India to immediately recommend shooter Naresh Kumar Sharma's name as an additional participant for the 50m shooting event at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020.

Monday is the last date for recommending the names of the athletes for the Paralympics, which will start from August 24.

In his petition, the Arjuna Award-winning shooter had contended that the Paralympic Committee of India had, despite his stellar achievements, failed to take into account his actual average score and had thus blocked his opportunity to participate in the Tokyo Paralympics.

He had contended that in order to be eligible to take part in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, a para shooter must have participated in at least two international competitions approved by the World Shooting Para Sports. 

He claimed that the selection committee ignored him and selected another athlete while flouting the eligibility criteria.

The petition also claimed that the selection of the other shooter for the 50m rifle competition was made arbitrarily, smacked of favouritism and lacked transparency.

Sharma moved the Apex court after the Delhi High Court refused to interfere with the non-selection of the five-time Paralympian shooter for the Tokyo Games despite identifying arbitrariness in the Paralympic Committee of India's decision.

The Supreme Court directed the Paralympic Committee of India to submit an order compliance report by Tuesday.