Bindra gets support in his tussle with NRAI

New Delhi: The treatment meted out to Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra once again shows the poor planning that plagues sports administrators in the country.

Now support is pouring in for Bindra who is determined to chart his own course despite the humiliation.

Bindra isn't on the Indian team for next month's Commonwealth Shooting Championship thanks to his ongoing tussle with shooting federation the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) over taking part in national camps.

Even though the Union Sports Ministry has now stepped in Bindra will not compete in the event.

"They have selected a team now. It would be unfair for those who have been selected in the team. I am a sports person and it would be the wrong thing to do," says Bindra.

NRAI's insistence on all shooters to compete in trials on an almost quarterly basis is the bone of contention.

Top shooters have backed Bindra and told CNN-IBN that it is insane to leave their specifically designed training programmes and shoot for trials.

Bindra is gaining support even outside the shooting fraternity

"I think it is the right decision because he has been training abroad for so many years and suddenly if the system calls him for a camp then it is his decision to attend it or not," says badminton player Saina Nehwal.

CNN-IBN has seen copies of Bindra's training schedule which aims to get him to peak at the world championships in August where he is defending champion. The 27-year-old is now off to Germany next week to consult his coaching team on the road ahead.

"I am headed off to Germany now. I will meet and discuss with my core team whom I trust as to what I want to do in the future," says Bindra.

The NRAI, however, maintains it stand.

"Past performance can not be the basis of selection. The fact is he has not competed and we are not sure if he has even been practicing. If we are not aware of his present form/performance and still include him in the team, it would be blatantly unfair on those who have been performing and have gone through the whole process," says NRAI.

Even Usain Bolt's manager has said that he would only participate at the Commonwealth Games if it suits his training schedule.

The same professional and scientific approach though seems lacking in India's shooting bosses.