New Delhi, October 13 (Daily Kiran) : Indian para shooters are calling for their head coach, JP Nautiyal, to accompany them to the Asian Para Games 2026 in Japan. The athletes emphasize their mental connection with Nautiyal, arguing that removing him at this late stage is unjust.
Nautiyal’s name was unexpectedly dropped from the shooting team’s roster ahead of the event, sparking outrage among the shooters and coaching staff. Rakesh, a para rifle shooter, expressed the team’s disappointment, stating, “Having our head coach provides significant support. We have been training hard with him for a long time, and he is a mentor to me. This decision is affecting our mental state. We visited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Monday but have yet to receive a positive response. We demand that our head coach be allowed to travel with us for the team’s benefit.”
Bhakti Sharma, a para shooter who is deaf and mute, faces challenges if Nautiyal does not accompany the team. Her sister, Sudha, explained that Nautiyal understands Bhakti’s sign language, and his absence could hinder her performance in the finals. Sudha stressed that competing without Nautiyal would complicate Bhakti’s participation and potentially impact their chances of winning medals.
Srishti Arora, another para shooter, echoed these sentiments, describing the last-minute change as demotivating. She highlighted Nautiyal’s extensive experience with previous Asian Para Games and other international tournaments, which could be crucial during the competition.
Coach Pavitra also advocated for Nautiyal’s inclusion, noting that while allegations have been made against him, they have not been proven. He praised Nautiyal’s dedication, mentioning that despite his mother being hospitalized, he continued to train the athletes. Pavitra emphasized the need to prioritize the athletes’ success, stating, “Our athletes must not face any issues, no matter how small.”
He expressed confidence in the team’s potential for medal wins and urged the government and the Indian Paralympic Committee to allow Nautiyal to travel with the team.
The para shooters remain hopeful that their pleas will be heard in time for the upcoming games.
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