Hyderabad: Organizers hosted a significant milestone in Indian shooting sports on 25 February as the Telangana Rifle Association (TRA) successfully organized the first ever Sports Shooting Leadership Conclave 2026.
The event marked the first time such a national level leadership gathering for the sport has been held in the state, signaling Telangana’s growing influence in the shooting arena.
The conclave was headlined by Shri Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, the President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and MLA of Bolangir.
During the sessions, Shri Singh Deo emphasized the importance of decentralizing shooting excellence and praised the initiative to create a strategic roadmap for the sport’s development at the regional level. He highlighted that such conclaves are essential for aligning state associations with national goals to ensure India remains a global powerhouse in rifle and pistol events.
Key discussions at the event focused on enhancing grassroots infrastructure and adopting scientific training methodologies to identify young talent early.
Shri Amit Sanghi, the President of the Telangana Rifle Association and Senior Vice President of NRAI, shared insights into the state’s vision of producing Olympic caliber athletes by the 2032 Games. The participation of senior officials, including representatives from the Sports Authority of Telangana and various civil service leaders, underscored a collaborative approach to making the sport more accessible to athletes from diverse backgrounds.
The conclave also served as a platform to discuss the proposed Shooting Premier League and the introduction of new digital resources for athletes. By bringing together policymakers and sports administrators, the event established a blueprint for sustainable growth, ensuring that the next generation of shooters has the technical and institutional support required to succeed on the international stage.