London: Indian shooters have alleged that they were harassed and threatened by the World Cup staff in UK.
The contingent including ace shooter Manavjit Singh Sandhu have complained that they were subjected to harassment by the bus staff as a result of which they won't be able to give their best. The players also allege that two women shooters were harassed by bus staff just two days back and humiliated in front of all competing nations.
"We feel terrible about the whole situation. We are guests here and in the midst of all this, because of one or two gentlemen, the whole tournament is coming under a cloud," Sandhu told CNN-IBN.
He says that the harassment started two days back when the transport department, which has been outsourced by the committee, forced two Indian female shooters off the bus for some silly excuse.
"Today something similar happened and as one of our teammates was getting on board, she shut the door. They didn't allow him to come even though his guns were on board. When I asked her why, she said its 2.30 pm and he's supposed to be on board," adds Sandhu.
According to him, the reason behind such behaviour seemed to be an intention to pick up a fight with Indian players. Sandhu hopes that the matter would be sorted out by the authorities.
What's more shocking is that, according to coach BB Singh, the team was being harassed right from the time they landed in the UK.
"We landed on the 11th and went to the range. We got a message saying if you don't hand over the money we will not let you shoot. This has been happening from the beginning," says Singh.
Meanwhile, the Indian team manager, Padmanabhan has written a letter to the Indian High Commissioner in London to take up the matter with the Organising Committee of the World Cup.
The Indian High Commission has confirmed that it has received a complaint from the team and that they have asked for a meeting with the members of the team which is expected perhaps on Tuesday next week.
That seems to be too late to for the team to seek resolution on the matter because they have an important game on Sunday.
The team is now demanding not just an apology but also alternative transportation arrangements. The shooters also want assurance from the authorities that such incidents do not happen again.
Speaking to CNN-IBN, one member of the Organising Committee said that have said they have received a complaint about the driver from one member of the team.
The matter is now, in official terms, under review by the British Shooting and the Indian High Commission.
However, that may do little to help the players who, at the moment, are very upset. They have important games to play on Sunday.
(With inputs from Sanjay Suri)
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