The Union Government is yet to sanction the required grant for the nine quota holders due to various official delays. The secretary general of Indian Olympics Association, Randhir Singh expressed anguish over the delay in the issue of grants and said Indian shooters have been putting a lot of effort in their training but they do not have enough cartridges to practice.

“The Indian government is their only hope and delay in this issue will do nothing good for the Olympic preparations. The delay would only leave the shooters exhausted mentally and financially,’ Singh told Newsline, on the sidelines of a function, here in the city.

The Indian government has yet to allot funds to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for the training of probables for Beijing Olympics and with only seven moths to go for the mega event, it seems that time is running out for the shooters. “We have held several round of meetings with the government officials and despite occasional reminders, no concrete step has been taken by the government,” Singh added.

Senior officials confirmed that the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has also received no word from the Sports Ministry about the funds for the training and preparation of the Olympic quota holders.

Before the Beijing Olympics, shooters from the country will also vie for top honours in the 2008 World Cup. Singh laid emphasis on the need of proper training as well as equipment as nine shooters have already qualified for the Olympics, where as two boxers and four archers have qualified for the Olympics.