New Delhi: India is poised to solidify its position as a premier global destination for shooting sports, with a robust calendar of international competitions slated for the coming years.
Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), expressed immense enthusiasm about the nation’s hosting rights for these prestigious events, emphasizing their critical role in athlete development and promoting the sport.
Under the confirmed schedule, India will host:
- Jr. World Cup (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) – September 2025
- Shooting League of India (SLI) – November 2025 (inaugural edition)
- Asian Rifle/Pistol Cup – 2026
- ISSF World Cup (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) – 2027
- ISSF Jr. World Championship (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) – 2028
“With the LA Olympics as our target, hosting at least one international event every year leading up to it is a tremendous opportunity,” stated Shri Singh Deo. He further elaborated that these events will not only boost the preparation of senior athletes but also provide invaluable exposure to juniors, allowing them to experience the atmosphere of elite competition on home soil.
A significant addition to the Indian shooting landscape is the launch of the franchise-based Shooting League of India (SLI) in November 2025. This ambitious initiative aims to create a professional league platform for shooting athletes, further enhancing the sport’s visibility and commercial viability in the country. Singh Deo noted that the NRAI is keen to make the SLI viewer-friendly and a “role model” for shooting across the next five to ten years.
The NRAI President also highlighted the growing confidence the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) places in India’s ability to deliver world-class events. This series of hosting opportunities, combined with ongoing efforts to strengthen grassroots development and improve athlete support systems, underscores India’s commitment to becoming a global hub for shooting sports.
Shri Singh Deo acknowledged the challenges of making shooting more viewer-friendly and plans to leverage various platforms, including social media and innovative gaming technologies, to reach a wider audience and popularize the sport. The NRAI is also working on a system to build two senior teams (A and B) in addition to a junior side, ensuring a larger pool of athletes receives international exposure while preventing burnout among elite athletes.
The consistent stream of international events is expected to provide Indian shooters with a significant competitive advantage, allowing them to refine their skills against top international talent without the burden of extensive travel. This, coupled with the NRAI’s focus on structured athlete development and a robust domestic calendar, paints a promising future for Indian shooting.