India’s para shooters staged a protest in New Delhi against the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), alleging corruption, unfair selection practices, and policy violations ahead of the 2026 Asian Para Games.
The Indian Sports Ministry has taken note of the protest staged by the para shooters of India against the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) in New Delhi on Thursday during the official Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya.
The Indian para shooters staged a protest outside the ITC Maurya with placards, with SH1 para shooters Sandeep Kumar and Aakash protesting against the PCI. They had earlier protested outside the SAI headquarters and continued their demonstration outside the hotel.
The para-athletes alleged unfair selection practices and last-minute changes in policies ahead of the para continental showpiece and sought answers.
Para shooters stage protests over unfair selection practices
The Para Asian Games send-off event was organised by PCI, with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya unveiling the new Team India jersey and flagging off the para contingent for Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The event was attended by several officials and para athletes, including PCI President Devendra Jhajharia.
The shooters alleged ‘illicit financial extortion’, rampant corruption, and violations of the Sports Ministry’s guidelines by PCI officials and its Shooting Technical Committee during the selection process for the 2026 Para Asian Games.
More from SportsThe protesting para shooters also alleged that athletes were coerced into paying a 20 per cent commission from their government cash awards as a prerequisite for selection, while accusing officials of manipulating international quota slots and qualifying scores to favour select competitors.
Sports Minister to meet para shooters
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has confirmed that he will meet para-shooters protesting against alleged corruption and manipulation in the selection process and will attempt to resolve the problem.
“There seem to be a lot of institutional problems in how para-shooting is being run right now. It is not merely about the Asian Games. The minister will meet them to try and resolve the issues raised by them, including that of corruption,” a Ministry source said to PTI.
The fifth Asian Para Games 2026 is scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya from October 18 to 24, 2026.