Latest news with #ShootingLeagueofIndia
India Gazette
7 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
"This league will provide good opportunity to juniors": Sift Kaur Samra on Shooting League of India
By Shaurya Dutt New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): Paris Olympics bronze medallist Sarabjot Singh and Swapnil Kushale, along with shooter Sift Kaur Samra expressed their delight as India is set to witness its first-ever franchise league in sport shooting, tentatively named the Shooting League of India (SLI) organised by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) which will take place later this year from November 24 to December 7. The proposal, put forward by NRAI President Kalikesh Narayana Singh Deo, has been approved by the Governing Body, the national federation's highest decision-making authority. Speaking about the SLI, Sarabjot Singh told ANI, 'This is a very good initiative of the National Rifle Association of India. We will get a very good experience from this competition. For the first time, the league is being organised. I am very excited for it.' On the Shooting League of India, shooter Swapnil Kusale said, 'This league will be helpful for all the athletes. We will get to learn a lot by competing in this league.' India Women shooter Sift Kaur Samra also expressed his where she said that this league will provide opportunities to youngsters to compete in different categories. 'I am very excited as the league is being organised for the first league will provide a very good opportunity to the juniors as they will compete in different categories...' The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) officially unveiled the logo for the highly anticipated Shooting League of India (SLI) at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi on Thursday afternoon, as per a release from NRAI. Several Indian athletes at the Indian camp, gearing up for the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Munich, attended the unveiling and expressed their excitement for the inaugural edition of the league. Along with Paris Olympic medallists Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, several top Indian stars, including Arjun Babuta, Sandeep Singh, Elavenil Valarivan, Ramita, Sift Kaur Samra, Anjum Moudgil, Varun Tomar, Arjun Singh Cheema, Chain Singh, Kiran Ankush Jadhav, Ashi Chouksey, Shriyanka Sadangi, Suruchi, Palak, Simranpreet Kaur Brar, Akhil Sheoran, Sainyam, Nischal, and Rahi Jeevan Sarnobat, came for the occasion. India recently secured three bronze medals in shooting at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, half of the country's total medal haul. This marked the first time India had won three medals in any single sport at the Olympics, making shooting the nation's most successful individual Olympic sport, with one gold, two silver, and four bronze medals over the last two decades. Among India's historic achievements, its first-ever individual Olympic gold medal came from Shooting when Abhinav Bindra won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In Paris, Manu Bhaker became the first Indian athlete to win more than one medal in a single edition of the Games. (ANI)
India Gazette
15 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Indian athletes' express excitement for Shooting League of India as NRAI unveils logo in New Delhi
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) officially unveiled the logo for the highly anticipated Shooting League of India (SLI) at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi on Thursday afternoon, as per a release from NRAI. Several Indian athletes at the Indian camp, gearing up for the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Munich, attended the unveiling and expressed their excitement for the inaugural edition of the league. Along with Paris Olympic medallists Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, several top Indian stars, including Arjun Babuta, Sandeep Singh, Elavenil Valarivan, Ramita, Sift Kaur Samra, Anjum Moudgil, Varun Tomar, Arjun Singh Cheema, Chain Singh, Kiran Ankush Jadhav, Ashi Chouksey, Shriyanka Sadangi, Suruchi, Palak, Simranpreet Kaur Brar, Akhil Sheoran, Sainyam, Nischal, and Rahi Jeevan Sarnobat, came for the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the 50m rifle 3 positions world record holder Sift Kaur Samra said that unveiling the logo is a major boost to the morale of the athletes who will be competing in Munich between June 8th and June 15th. 'We express our gratitude to NRAI for inviting us to be a part of the unveiling of the logo and allowing us to witness the start of this beautiful journey. We are seeing that the buzz around the sport of shooting in India is increasing further with the upcoming league, and it is a big boost to our morale ahead of the upcoming ISSF World Cup,' the 24-year-old said. Crafted by the renowned sports media and marketing agency Sportwalk, the logo features a vibrant mix of colours to encapsulate the competitive nature of the sport and to symbolise the sport's heritage. The 2022 Asian Games medallist Ashi Chouksey further praised the dynamic nature of the logo and delved deeper into how the bold colours depict the strength of the Indian sporting community. 'All of us are delighted to see that the Shooting League of India is kicking off with this beautiful logo. The bold colours feel like they are a testament to the strength and nature of Indian sportspersons. It feels like a statement, and now it is up to us athletes to live up to the message being portrayed by this wonderful symbol,' Chouksey said. Meanwhile, experienced rifle shooter Shriyanka Sadangi further said that the logo sends out the message that the national federation wishes to promote with the league. 'With India's success in the recent edition of the Olympic Games in Paris, there is a growing interest in the sport in the country and all around the world. The league can help add to this success and help in further advancing the global appeal of the sport. The logo has a similar universal appeal with familiar yet vibrant colours and patterns, thus helping its reach across the masses.' The first season of the SLI will have a window between November 20 to December 2. 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 to 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. (ANI)
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Suruchi Phogat sticks to her simple formula to stay world class
With three gold medals and a bronze in the four events that she competed in the last two World Cups in Buenos Aires and Lima, Suruchi Phogat is easily the golden girl of Indian shooting at the moment. As the Indian team was getting ready to leave for the World Cup in Munich, Germany, and at the launch of the logo of the Shooting League of India (SLI) at the Dr. Karni Singh Range in Tughlakabad, Suruchi said that she would continue to aim to be at her best, and not worry about the scores. Cheerful and soft spoken, but with a clear mind, the 19-year-old revealed that she does not try hard to shoot better scores but does everything possible to shoot at her best in every event she competes. 'From the national trials, National championships, National Games, to the trials again, and now in World Cups, the advice by coach Suresh Singh has worked very well for me. I believe that the better scores would happen along the way, if I stick to the right process,' said Suruchi, at ease in keeping things simple. She did recall the advice by seasoned shooter Jitu Rai, who is now with the Indian team as coach, about a few finer points that has helped her be at her best, her normal self, in international competitions. 'I am happy to have won three gold medals so far. I want to win medals in Munich. The World champonships later in the season, is bigger and then there is the Asian Championship also. I also want to do well in the World Cup Finals, as my name has already been confirmed,' said Suruchi, quite pleased to be adding to her international exposure. Every shooter would love to know the secrets of Suruchi to be so remarkably consistent in the international arena, and her younger brother Nishant is no exception. 'He also shoots air pistol. He shoots 580 in practice. He does want to know what I do to win all these gold medals. I just tell him that when he gets to that level, it would happen on its own for him also,' said Suruchi. A first year student of B.A., Suruchi plans to move to the Chandigarh University for the great support it extends to sportspersons. 'I want to compete in the World University championships,' said Suruchi, content to stick to the air pistol, and not venture into the world of 25-metre sports pistol. 'There is so much to learn and achieve in air pistol. I want to stay focused on it, without complicating matters with another event, for now,' she added. If simplicity in character, manner and style is the supreme excellence, the cheerful Suruchi is a classic example. Her beaming face with the charming smile is bound to be seen more often as Suruchi steps out to show her prowess in the international arena.
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Business Standard
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Swapnil Kusale backs Indian league to expand shooting worldwide
Paris Olympics bronze medallist Swapnil Kusale reckons the upcoming Shooting League of India (SLI) will provide additional exposure to the sport not just in the country but all around the world. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) announced the window for the inaugural edition of the SLI earlier this month. The tournament will be held from November 20 to December 2, and is expected to feature some of the biggest shooters from India and around the world. Swapnil believes the tournament will help in further popularising the sport in India, especially after the contingent's success at 2024 Summer Games. "After winning medals in Paris, the interest and knowledge is increasing in shooting as a sport," Swapnil, who is set to travel to Munich next moth for the ISSF World Cup, said on Thursday. "The public in India have started understanding that there are different disciplines in shooting across pistol, rifle and shotgun. But still, the sport needs more exposure all over the world.. "We want school kids and grassroots level athletes to aspire to pick up the sport. Hence, we have to ensure that we perform well in this league so that the sport is seen in a different light," added, Swapnil who competes in the 50m Rifle 3 positions discipline. In a historic achievement, Swapnil became the first Indian shooter to secure a medal in the 50m rifle 3 position (3P) event at the Olympics last summer.. The inaugural SLI will feature mixed team events in pistol (10M, 25M), rifle (10M, 50M 3P), and shotgun (trap and skeet), as decided by the NRAI technical committee. Eight teams will be competing in the tournament, with four teams divided into two pools in the league stage. The selected players will be grouped into four tiers - elite champions, world elite, national champions, junior and youth championships - to strike a balance between experienced players and emerging talents. Swapnil also explained how an athlete's mindset is switched differently in a league-styled environment as compared to when they are competing in national or international events. "All the athletes are extremely excited because we have been competing in international and national tournaments for many years. But in a league, we have to carry a different mindset and we also gain a lot of exposure. "The competition level also increases with top talent participating," the 29-year-old said. "In competitions, while we are representing the national flag, we are participating in an individual capacity. In a league environment, we will be competing for a franchise and it will be a new challenge to play as per the team's direction and environment. "Having unity among the players in a team will also be a crucial aspect and also helps in further elevating our performances," Swapnil added.
India Gazette
17-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
NRAI governing board deliberates on key plans for the Shooting League of India (SLI)
New Delhi [India] May 17 (ANI): The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) Governing Board convened on Saturday, during which, the board deliberated and finalised various aspects of the inaugural edition of the Shooting League of India (SLI), according to a release from NRAI. Including governance structure, sports discipline and league formats, players recruitment and categories, agency appointments, the SLI brand and the logo launch, and league awards and prize money allocation for the upcoming tournament The discussions marked a major step toward launching a professionally managed, commercially viable shooting league in India. The meeting ratified the decision to establish the need for strong governance structure aligned with NRAI's vision. The board approved a transparent governance framework, enabling structured private investment and ensuring regulatory alignment. SLI was recognised as a major step for NRAI in the upcoming year to further grow nationwide interest in shooting, while also encouraging and unearthing more shooting talent in India. 'Blending elite sport with league-style excitement, SLI aims to elevate shooting as a sport and inspire future talent. There is unanimous support and a recognition that the league is heralding new boundaries, barriers and areas for the sport.' It is the first time a league of this nature has been envisioned across the international shooting fraternity. A franchise-based shooting league will allow some of the best shooters around the world to be a part of the same team, this enabling a speedy growth of youngsters in India, and also at a global level,' NRAI President Kalikesh Singh Deo said. The recommendation from the Technical Committee on the shooting disciplines for the league were approved by the board. The 2025 edition will feature mixed team events in Pistol (10M, 25M), Rifle (10M, 50M 3P), and Shotgun (Trap & Skeet), as per the NRAI guidelines. The members also discussed the timelines and format for the league. The SLI 2025 will take place between 20th November 2025 and 2nd December 2025, with the opening ceremony taking place on 20th November. Eight teams will be divided into two pools of four teams in the league stage which will take place between 21st November and 26th November, with the top two teams from each group advancing to knockout stages. The categories of players participating in the league was also reviewed to ensure top Indian and international shooters participation, with the NRAI President advising that there is strong interest already in the SLI from the global shooting community. Players will be grouped into four tiers -- Elite Champions, World Elite, National Champions, and Junior & Youth Championships -- to balance experienced veterans and emerging talents. The Board finalised the logo for the Shooting League of India which will be unveiled at an event in New Delhi on June 4th, 2025. The league awards and prize money allocation were also deliberated upon and will be announced in due course. (ANI)
