Junior shooter suspended for misbehaviour in Italy

[karmveer]

New Delhi, Sept. 20 -- There seems to be no respite for the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) from the spate of 'bullying' and 'molestation' charges being levelled against its junior shooters in international meets.
Close on the heels of two shotgun marksmen being suspended for a year and six months respectively for 'bullying' a fellow female shooter in Germany, there is more trouble for the federation as another junior shooter was suspended for 'misbehaving' with a female hotel staff in Massari, Italy, where the team is training for the World Championships in Peru, and Asian Champ-ionship in Kazakhstan next month.
The boy has been withdrawn from training but has not been flown back to India, as airlines do not permit juniors to fly home unaccompanied in such cases.
NRAI president, Raninder Singh, said within five minutes of getting the news from team captain, former world champion in trap Manavjit Singh Sandhu, the 17-year-old was suspended.
"The entire Indian contingent was asked to assemble and apologise to the lady. She accepted the apology. Her statement has also been recorded," said Raninder.
The NRAI president said the boy had been reprimanded a few months back in the previous case where two shooters were suspended. "We had called him for questioning to give evidence against the two suspended shooters a few months back and he did not turn up despite repeated requests, so we had reprimanded him," said Raninder.
The president said the athletes' commission would take a serious view of the incident, as this is a much bigger offence than the 'bullying' episode in Germany.
Asked what could be the quantum of punishment, Raninder said:"The commission will present its report within 14 days of the commencement of hearing and I presume the punishment will be very harsh."
He conceded that the police too was called in but added no charges were pressed as the boy tendered an unconditional apology. Raninder was at a loss to understand why such incidents were happening so regularly. "I don't know why such things are happening. The boy is from a very, very modest background."

Published by HT Syndication with permission from Hindustan Times.

[moulindu]

I dont know what these people are thinking. In a country where athletes are fighting to get their basic facilities, people like these do nuisance abroad. Not only they are bringing bad name to the country but also making life difficult for the athletes to follow. i remember whenever we used to represent our college or university for playing cricket, the only thing mattered to us to win the trophy. We were at our best of manner & always be cautious of not doing anything abrupt out of adrenaline rush. COME BOYS MIND YOUR GAME
Moulindu

[jatindra Singh Deo]

@moulindu I second your thought and sentiments .Privileged upbringing and hardly any struggle leaves hacks like these without any attitude to take on the right challenge in life .I cannot imagine how a person privileged enough to represent India in such a niche sport has the temerity for such an offence and that too repeatedly ,he must be shown his place..Its time shooters with right attitude and aptitude are given a helping hand ,who have more to do with bullseye than a beautifull eye ..

[FN-Five-Seven]

--- comment deleted -----

[veeveeaar]

This a problem of plenty ( plenty of pampering, exorbitant money at their disposal ) and care for nobody .Kids like these exhibit the attitude of their peers.in my rifle club there are many above MQS level shooters who cannot afford more than ten rounds for practice, every month, Use shooting apparel in turns and have missed many nationals for want of money even for the competition fees.

[Safarigent]

I see these spoilt brats at the
Range and they typify the rich, spoilt brats.
Not surprised.
There are shooters from the army, a few from MP who are being sponsored by their governments. They have a shortage of equipment, ammo etc but are the most well behaved and serious shooters on the range. When you earn something, you value it a lot more than when something falls into your lap.

[gladiatorgarg]

I could'nt agree more...these new genx is spoilt to the hilt...most of them achieve fame through family heirloom...they have scant regards for elders and customs...i really pity in a country where shooting is as-it-is in the least priority such bad publicity will lead to where a specimen must be made out of them...for the others to remember...

[winnie_the_pooh]

I think those responding to the first post have missed this

The boy is from a very, very modest background

[brihacharan]

BTW - aren't sportsmen selected to participate abroad, given some sort of orientation on code of ethics, behaviour, culture of the country visited etc?
Most Indians come from a cloistered upbringing & when suddenly find themselves in a liberated society / environment tend to lose control over themselves...
Unfortunately the officials accompanying them are equally placed...
Earlier this situation is remedied - the better
Briha

[Safarigent]

If the young man in question is in no way from a modest background. The NRAI president will say what he has to to reduce the public backlash as he knows the identity of the chap is protected from the public at large.
These boys and girls are given no orientation. The NRAI officials who go with them have a tough time dealing with them or are themselves partying and leave the shooters to fend for themselves.

[brihacharan]

If the young man in question is in no way from a modest background. The NRAI president will say what he has to to reduce the public backlash as he knows the identity of the chap is protected from the public at large.
These boys and girls are given no orientation. The NRAI officials who go with them have a tough time dealing with them or are themselves partying and leave the shooters to fend for themselves.

Well, that sums up everything
Briha

[essdee1972]

What kind of movies do these guys watch? C'mon kiddo, the porn industry DOES NOT reflect reality. Female hotel staff are NOT ready to jump in bed with you!!!!

One of the biggest slogans of the new generation - YOLO (you only live once) - sums up all their problems. They want everything, and want it now. If they are from not-so-modest background, daddy dearest buys it for them. And if the background is modest, well there's always force!!

[bennedose]

Maybe the background of the shooter was a very very modest IQ?

[airgun_novice]

Maybe the background of the shooter was a very very modest IQ?

If the "kid" is very much from very very modest background, as claimed, then he would have very very appreciated what he's been given/ gifted since shotgun among others is quite an expensive game. The competition special shotty, the ammo, the very process to get a license - isn't really for folks with a very very modest background.

The Claim: The "kid" is 17 yr old and hence can not be sent back alone !!!
My reaction: Really ? Come on Sir, "aam" admi isn't exactly a "guthli".

Quoting from Air India Express site -
How does Air India Express classify an infant, a child and an adult?
An infant is classified as one below 2 years of age, a child is classified as between 2 and 12 years of age and an adult is anyone over the age of 12 years. All infants must be accompanied by an adult passenger in the ratio of one infant to one adult.

By and large this classification was found out to be parallel across all airlines I traveled.

British Airways gives 'exception' on their site for Italian passport-holders... as long as they are < 14 yr of age or Romanian passport-holders as long as they are < 18 yr. But INDIAN ??? Ahem !

If the "child" is unaccompanied - then the airlines provide a service where their own staff accompanies the "child" to the port of destination and hands over, officially, the child to legitimate adult relative upon disembark.

Now why was the entire Indian contingent made to assemble and apologize for misconduct of that ONE person ?
Very very modest background indeed !!!