New Delhi: The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) Education Program reached a major milestone today with the launch of the first-ever International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) B Coaches course held in India.
NRAI President Shri Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, who graced the opening ceremony, highlighted the program as a cornerstone of India’s long-term shooting strategy. He noted that with 17,000 ranges now mapped across the country, the federation’s priority is to ensure that talent in decentralized locations has access to world-class guidance.
Shri Singh Deo explained that the goal is for India to become the world’s leading producer of ISSF-certified coaches and officials. He stressed that as the sport grows rapidly, maintaining high standards of ethics, morality, and professional expertise is essential. This initiative is part of a broader collaboration with the Government of India to ensure young athletes make a seamless transition to the senior international level.
This five-day intensive training program, hosted in the national capital, brings together 56 coaches from India, Iraq, and Albania, marking a significant step in professionalizing the coaching ecosystem across the region.
The course is being conducted by Dr. Vesa Nissinen, Director of the ISSF Academy, who emphasized that this is the first time the program has been executed on such a large scale globally. Unlike the foundational C and D courses which focus primarily on technical skills and basic sports science, the B level qualification is designed to train coaches in creating elite professional environments. This includes advanced modules on psychological expertise, nutritional management, and navigating complex dynamics such as media relations and parental involvement.
The instructional team features a mix of global and domestic expertise, including six-time Olympian Agathi Kassoumi and two-time Indian Olympian Sanjeev Rajput. They are joined by instructors from Italy and India to cover Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun disciplines. The program will conclude on January 25 with a graduation ceremony for the newly qualified B license coaches.