Tokyo Paralympics: Shooter Naresh Sharma Seeks Permission To Participate As 'Substitute Player'

Akshita Saxena

18 Aug 2021 5:21 PM IST

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Tokyo Paralympics: Shooter Naresh Sharma Seeks Permission To Participate As Substitute Player

Paralympian shooter and Arjuna Award winner Naresh Kumar Sharma today submitted before the Delhi High Court that he does not wish to replace another player in the upcoming Tokyo Paralympic Games 2020 and is willing to participate in the event as a "substitute player".The submission was made in view of the fact that the players selected for the event have already left for Tokyo on August...

The submission was made in view of the fact that the players selected for the event have already left for Tokyo on August 12.

The Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh was hearing an application for early hearing of the petition.

Advocate Varun Singh, appearing on behalf of Sharma, stated:

Singh: At this point it would not be fair of me to ask to replace a player who has already gone.#DelhiHighCourt #TokyoParalympics
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) August 18, 2021

Instead, he said that a direction may be issued to the Respondents to send Sharma as a "substitute player". For this, he submitted that the consent and funds is sanctioned by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and normally the same is not declined.

Refusing to pass such a direction, the Bench said,

"Can we grant a relief beyond your prayer? You have made a request, it is for them to consider."

It added that the Central Government, represented by Standing Counsel Anil Soni, has patiently heard the matter and it is for them to take a decision thereof.

With these observations, the application was disposed and the matter will be considered on August 23.

Sharma had approached the High Court assailing a Single Judge order, refusing to interfere with the decision of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), the apex body for promotion and development of Para Sports in India, to not shortlist him for the Tokyo Games 2020.

Notice on the matter was issued on July 30, following which the matter reached the Supreme Court for urgent relief. The Top Court had asked PCI to recommend Sharma's name for the event and report compliance. Later, the matter was disposed of after the International Paralympic Committee said that it is not possible to include Sharma as an additional participant from India. Sharma was however granted liberty to argue before the High Court whether he should be sent in place of another candidate, Deepak.

On the issue of bipartite entry, PCI informed the Court that it had recommended Sharma's name to IPC saying that he is a good shooter. But IPC responded saying that our quota is only of 10 people.

Before the High Court, PCI stated that it has not discriminated against Sharma. It claimed that though Sharma is a good player, his performance has not been up to mark in past years.

Case Title: Naresh Kumar Sharma v. PCI

Tokyo Paralympics: Shooter Naresh Sharma Seeks Permission To Participate As 'Substitute Player'

Akshita Saxena

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