India Launches Its First Franchise Shooting League: Excitement Builds Among Athletes
Introduction to the Shooting League of India
By Shaurya Dutt
New Delhi [India], June 6: Athletes Sarabjot Singh, Swapnil Kusale, and Sift Kaur Samra have expressed their enthusiasm as India prepares to host its inaugural franchise league in sport shooting, tentatively called the Shooting League of India (SLI). This event, organized by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), is scheduled to take place from November 24 to December 7 this year.
Approval and Anticipation
The proposal for this league, introduced by NRAI President Kalikesh Narayana Singh Deo, has received the green light from the Governing Body, which is the highest decision-making authority within the national federation.
Athlete Reactions
Commenting on the SLI, Sarabjot Singh remarked, “This initiative by the National Rifle Association of India is fantastic. We are looking forward to gaining valuable experience from this competition. It’s the first time such a league is being organized, and I am thrilled about it.”
Swapnil Kusale added, “This league will be beneficial for all athletes. Competing in this league will provide us with significant learning opportunities.”
Women’s shooter Sift Kaur Samra also shared her excitement, stating, “I am eager for this league as it will offer young talents a chance to compete across various categories.”
Official Launch of the League
The NRAI officially revealed the logo for the Shooting League of India at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi on Thursday. This unveiling was attended by numerous Indian athletes who are currently training for the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Munich, all of whom expressed their eagerness for the league's inaugural season.
Celebrating India's Shooting Achievements
India recently celebrated a remarkable achievement by securing three bronze medals in shooting at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, which accounted for half of the country's total medal count. This milestone marked the first instance of India winning three medals in a single sport at the Olympics, establishing shooting as the nation’s most successful individual Olympic sport, with a total of one gold, two silver, and four bronze medals over the past twenty years.
Notably, India’s first individual Olympic gold medal was earned in shooting by Abhinav Bindra at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In Paris, Manu Bhaker made history as the first Indian athlete to win multiple medals in a single Olympic edition.