Manu Bhaker Aims for ISSF Athletes Committee Election with Vision for Shooting Sports

Manu Bhaker, India's double Olympic medalist, is running for the ISSF Athletes Committee for the 2026-2030 term. With a focus on athlete representation and welfare, she aims to enhance the sport and ensure a supportive environment for shooters. Her agenda includes safeguarding key events, improving financial opportunities, and advocating for mental health support. The elections will take place during the ISSF World Championships in 2026, where eligible athletes can vote for their preferred candidates. Bhaker's candidacy adds to her historic achievements in shooting, including her groundbreaking performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 3, 2026, 23:47 IST

Manu Bhaker's Ambitious Candidacy for ISSF Athletes Committee

New Delhi, November 3: Manu Bhaker, a double Olympic medalist from India, is gearing up to run for a position on the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Athletes Committee for the term spanning 2026 to 2030. She has been nominated in the Pistol category.

Among ten candidates competing for two available spots in this discipline, Manu has articulated a vision centered on athletes, aiming to enhance the sport and foster a more supportive, sustainable, and progressive atmosphere for shooters globally, as stated in a recent press release.

Having faced the rigors and challenges of elite competition, Manu emphasizes the necessity for athletes to have a more significant influence on decisions that will shape the future of their sport. Her agenda addresses crucial elements of an athlete's journey, including competition formats, financial opportunities, mental health, career security, and representation within the sport's governing bodies.

A major focus of her campaign is to protect the Men's 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event and ensure its longevity in the Olympic framework. She also seeks to promote consistency in technical regulations across Olympic cycles, allowing athletes to prepare with more confidence.

Furthermore, she plans to advocate for improved prize money at ISSF World Cups and explore new commercial avenues through engaging competition formats that attract broadcasters and sponsors, ultimately benefiting the athletes.

Recognizing the importance of expanding the global reach of shooting, Manu aims to utilize social media and digital platforms to connect the sport with new audiences. She also prioritizes ensuring that athletes have meaningful representation, with their issues communicated directly to ISSF leadership. To facilitate this, she proposes a secure grievance redressal system for timely and transparent resolution of athlete concerns, alongside enhanced mental health support through sports psychology initiatives and designated quiet areas at ISSF events.

Looking ahead to life after competition, Manu is committed to advocating for financial security and career transition pathways that enable athletes to build sustainable lives post-retirement.

Commenting on her nomination, Manu Bhaker expressed, “It is a privilege to be nominated for the ISSF Athletes Committee. Having competed at the highest level, I have firsthand experience of the opportunities and challenges faced by international athletes. I believe athletes should not only participate in the sport but also have a voice in shaping its future. My goal is to work towards more stable competition rules, improved financial and commercial prospects, enhanced athlete welfare systems, and a more accessible platform for athletes to voice their concerns. I aspire to help create an environment where athletes feel heard, supported, and secure throughout their careers and beyond.”

The ISSF Athletes Committee plays a vital role in connecting athletes with the international governing body, offering a platform for competitors to engage in discussions about the development and governance of shooting sports. Its duties include collecting athlete feedback, advising on regulations, advocating for better competition conditions and athlete welfare, and promoting clean sport.

The elections are scheduled to occur during the ISSF World Championship 300m Rifle in Cairo from October 17-19, 2026, and the ISSF World Championship Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Doha from November 3-13, 2026.

All athletes aged 18 and older who are actively competing at either of these World Championships will be eligible to vote. Each eligible athlete can cast their vote for up to two candidates in each discipline, totaling six candidates across the three categories.

Manu's candidacy adds another remarkable chapter to her already historic career in Indian shooting. At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, she made history as the first Indian athlete in independent India to win two medals at a single Olympic event, securing bronze in both the women's 10m Air Pistol and the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event alongside Sarabjot Singh.