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PCI chief Devendra Jhajharia defended the Asian Para Games selection process, saying that all Sports Ministry and SAI criteria were met with full transparency.
Rio gold medallist Paralympian Devendra Jhajharia with his family members in Jaipur (Picture credit: PTI)
Paralympic Committee of India chief Devendra Jhajharia has said that whether it’s athletics, cycling, swimming or shooting, all the selection criteria have been met, adding that transparency has been maintained in every selection.
On Wednesday, para-shooters called for an urgent independent inquiry into alleged financial corruption, extortion and manipulation in the selection process for the Para Asian Games.
The PCI rejected the allegations, insisting that the team was selected on merit.
“Whether it’s athletics, cycling, swimming or shooting, we have ensured that all the selection criteria have been met. We have followed the guidelines laid down by the Ministry,” Jhajharia said.
“Someone may have a problem with the criteria, but nobody can move beyond those guidelines,” Jhajharia added.
The former athlete said that he remained in regular contact with athletes and maintained that differences of opinion could exist without compromising their interests.
“I speak to the athletes and remain in constant dialogue with them. There may be differences of opinion or likes and dislikes, but this is our country and the athletes are our priority,” Jhajharia said.
“Since we are already in regular dialogue with them, I feel there was no need for them to protest. They come to our office, they speak to us and they raise every issue with us,” Jhajharia added.
In a representation to the Director General of the Sports Authority of India on Wednesday, the shooters alleged ‘illicit monetary extortion’, ‘brazen corruption’ and violations of Sports Ministry guidelines by PCI officials and its Shooting Technical Committee during the selection process for the Aichi-Nagoya Para Asian Games, scheduled from October 18 to 24.
The representation alleged that athletes were being pressured to pay 20% of their government cash awards as a condition for selection. It also accused officials of manipulating international quota places and qualifying scores to favour certain shooters.
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Ask News18Para-shooters submitted a representation to the Sports Authority of India alleging illicit monetary extortion, brazen corruption, and violations of Sports Ministry guidelines by PCI officials and the Shooting Technical Committee. They claimed athletes were pressured to pay 20% of their government cash awards for selection and accused officials of manipulating quota scores.
Ask News18October 08, 2026, 15:34 IST
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