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On Sunday, December 10, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), issued strict guidelines on the usage of the air cylinders after an Indian shooter lost his left thumb. As per a report, Pushpender Kumar, the Indian Air Force Corporal, was filling the compressed air into the 10m air pistol cylinder from the main cylinder when the unfortunate accident happened.
SAI, the apex national sports body, who is responsible for managing Olympic sports in India, urged the Indian shooters to not use any air cylinders aged more than 10 years as per the report from the Bridge. It was further stated that if a shooter fails to adhere to their guidelines, they will be facing action as per the SAI regulations.
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When the left thumb of Pushpender Kumar was decapitated, he was rushed to the Army Hospital Research and Referral for treatment. Notably, he was preparing for the 10m air pistol competition at the upcoming National Championships.
The advisory from the SAI, issued at the Karni Singh range stated, “About the incident that occurred on November 2 (December 2) at a private range in Delhi-NCR, the advisory is issued to all athletes (NCOE, national campers and come-and-play) that anyone who owns faulty... air pistol should get their air pressure cylinder replaced, until then athletes would not be entertained at Karni Singh range.”
“Apart from that any athlete carrying air cylinder more than 10 years old will not be allowed to train at Karni range.” Athletes found training with defective cylinders, or those that are more than 10 years old, risk a “review of their stay at the National Centre of Excellence” while come-and-play shooters could lose their membership cards,” he added.
