ISSF seeks cut-off extension as Delhi shooting WC gets postponed

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS): The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on Friday proposed to postpone the New Delhi ISSF World Cup which was to be held from March 15 to 25 here in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The NRAI in its proposal to the International Shooting Sport Federation also suggested that the World Cup now be held in two separate events — the rifle and pistol competitions from May 5-12 and the shotgun events from June 2 to 9.

The ISSF said that it has subsequently asked the Internationa Olympic Committee (IOC) to prolong the Olympic qualification period for shooting.

“Taking in consideration the global extraordinary situation, preventive measures undertaken on the governmental level in many countries and, at the same time, the necessity to give all athletes equal chances to become participants of the Olympic Games, the ISSF has requested the IOC to prolong the internal Olympic Qualification period in the shooting sport,” said the ISSF in a statement.

“In case of the IOC approval, the World Cups in Munich, Germany, and Baku, Azerbaijan, can also influence the outcome of the Olympic Qualification. It must be noted that all Qualification Quota Places, as planned, will be allocated by May 31, 2020. There will be only 12 not allocated Quota Places according to the World Ranking and a small number of unused Quota Places due for reallocation.”

The ISSF had on Wednesday stated that ranking points would not be on offer at the New Delhi World Cup, which meant that the possibility of shooters gaining Minimum Qualification Standard was the only way the tournament remained relevant in terms of the buildup to the Tokyo Olympics.

Over 28,000 people are under coronavirus observation in the country, according to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.