The para shooters have now sought the Sports Ministry’s intervention, urging authorities to reconsider the decision. On Monday, a group of athletes also met senior officials of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to press for the chief coach’s inclusion in the contingent.
According to sources, shooters Manish Narwal, Bhakti Sharma, Mona Agarwal and Rudransh Khandelwal were among those who met SAI officials to explain why they believed the team needed Nautiyal. The athletes have also sent an email to the Sports Ministry seeking a review of the decision.
In their email, the athletes stated that Nautiyal’s sudden removal had caused distress within the team and was affecting their preparation, confidence and performance ahead of the Asian Para Games.
The athletes outlined four key points in their communication. They said Nautiyal had been providing technical guidance, strategic support, mentorship and psychological encouragement during the team’s preparation. They also emphasised that his presence was essential for continuity and improved performance.
The shooters further stated that any allegations against the coach should be investigated fairly, transparently and on the basis of evidence. They urged the authorities to reconsider the decision to exclude him from the contingent.
Bhakti Sharma Breaks Down During Meeting With SAI Officials
A source associated with the para-shooting team told aajtak.in that Bhakti Sharma, who competes in the women’s air pistol SH1 category, broke down in tears during Monday’s meeting with senior SAI officials.
Rifle shooter and Arjuna Award winner Mona Agarwal, who won a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, also stressed that the team needed a coach.
World champion Rudransh Khandelwal, who is set to receive the Arjuna Award, and Manish Narwal were also present at the meeting. The athletes reportedly made it clear that the presence of a chief coach becomes particularly important when they are under pressure during competitions.
Narwal won gold at the Tokyo Paralympics and silver at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. He has also received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and the Arjuna Award.
The athletes believe JP Nautiyal has played an important role in clearances, coordination and leading the contingent. They also requested a personal meeting with the authorities to discuss the matter.
The team maintained that its objective was not to challenge any institution but to ensure a fair decision that protects the interests of the athletes.
Why Was Jai Prakash Nautiyal Removed?
Nautiyal faced allegations of not following the prescribed criteria and demanding bribes in exchange for selection to the team. Several shooters staged a protest outside the Sports Authority of India headquarters, demanding his removal and an investigation into the allegations against him.
Following Nautiyal’s exclusion, Jeevan L. Rai, a long-serving national coach, secured his place in the team in his capacity as coach.
The controversy has placed the coaching arrangements of the para-shooting squad under scrutiny at a crucial stage of preparation for the Asian Para Games.
India’s 275-Member Contingent Approved for Asian Para Games
According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), the Sports Ministry has approved 166 athletes for the Asian Para Games. The contingent will also include 94 team officials and support staff, along with 15 contingent staff members, taking India’s total delegation to 275 members.
The Indian team will compete in 10 disciplines in Aichi-Nagoya from October 18 to 24.
Para-athletics will form the largest part of the contingent, with 62 athletes, including 46 men, and 36 support staff members. Visually impaired sprinter Simran, a World Championships medallist, is also part of the squad. Her previous guide, Umar Saifi, was caught up in a doping case, following which she will compete with a new guide, Shivam.
In cycling, only Paralympian Arshad Shaikh received approval despite opposition surrounding the selection. The Cycling Federation and the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) had selected six other cyclists as well, but they failed to meet the prescribed criteria.
The table tennis squad includes Paralympic silver medallist Bhavina Patel. India’s badminton contingent comprises 28 players, including 17 men and 11 women, supported by 11 staff members. Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist and former world number one Pramod Bhagat, along with Paralympic silver medallist Suhas Yathiraj, will lead the badminton team.
In archery, armless compound archer Sheetal Devi remains one of the leading contenders. The 19-year-old world champion won two gold medals at the previous Para Asian Games. She will be joined by 18-year-old Payal Nag, who defeated Sheetal at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok earlier this year.
The 13-member shooting squad, which has been surrounded by controversy, includes Paralympic gold medallist Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal. Agarwal recently won silver at the World Championships in Korea, securing a quota for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
With the Asian Para Games approaching, the demand for Nautiyal’s reinstatement has emerged as a key concern for members of India’s para-shooting team. The athletes’ appeal to the Sports Ministry and their meeting with SAI officials have brought the coaching dispute into focus as the country prepares to compete across 10 disciplines in Japan.
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