New franchise-based shooting league to start in November, players say 'fun', ‘bonding with international players'
The announcement of a franchise based league in the sport of shooting has all the stakeholders buzzing with anticipation. While shooting is largely an individual sport, the Shooting India League will feature only mixed-team format across disciplines and not individual events in a bid to make the event more audience-friendly.
There is no clarity about the team owners and the roster of international players, as yet. 'We are expecting more international players given the league has got a dedicated window in the international shooting calendar of the ISSF. The details of team owners and international players will be revealed by early July,' an official close to the developments told this newspaper.
The NRAI President Kalikesh Singh Deo had told The Indian Express previously about the format of the tournament. 'We have decided that all six formats will be in mixed team formats, and the shooters will directly compete in the final. The reasoning behind the format is that it will take less time, reducing the pressure on the shooter, and it will also be easy and exciting for the audience. Apart from the shooters and the audience, the format will make it interesting on how teams are picked.'
The format is already popular among the Indian shooters with the young players excited to perform against the world professionals while the experienced ones are looking at it as a deserved break from the long and hectic international season.
'I see it as a fun part of the game. This idea of league was there for years, when I was a young player. But it has become reality now and this is the right time. Shooting in India is growing and a franchise based league will bring more and more spectators to the sport,' experienced shooter Rahi Sanrobat told on the sidelines of the logo reveal event of the league.
'The format of the league is exciting and it will serve as a break for all the shooters who can enjoy the dynamics of a team sport. We are already discussing with others who will go to which team. I always wanted to compete with the boys and the mixed team format will allow us to do that,' Rahi added further.
The Asian Games gold medallist Sift Kaur Samra is excited to bond with foreign athletes. 'I am very excited to see who the foreigners are. We usually compete against each other but here if they will be in our team, there will be friendships like how we see in team sports,' Sift told The Indian Express.
'Usually, there are no leagues in the individual sports. If there is a team Punjab, I would like to join it. The best part will be that if we perform well in the league, it will definitely help us in tournaments such as World Championships and World Cups,' Sift said.
The league can be helpful for the young Indian players who are taking their initial steps in the international arena. One of the recent breakout stars, Suruchi Phogat, who recently won three gold medals at the ISSF World Cup believes that it will expose her to the process of elite athletes. 'While I practice with the Indian top shooters and observe them closely, the league will be an opportunity for me to learn from the top international stars and Olympic champions,'Suruchi said.
The first season of the SLI will have a window between 20th November and 2nd December. The tournament will feature mixed team events in pistol (10m, 25m), rifle (10m, 50m 3 positions), and shotgun(Trap & Skeet), as decided by the NRAI Technical Committee.
A total of six-eight teams will feature in the competition and will be divided into two pools in the league stage. The selected players will be grouped into four tiers – Elite Champions, World Elite, National Champions, and Junior & Youth Championships – to provide a blend of experienced and emerging talents.
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