The NRAI has announced the Shooting League of India, India’s first franchise-based shooting league, set to launch in March 2025 with ISSF approval. The initiative aims to improve the sport’s television appeal. India showcased its shooting prowess at the Paris 2024 Olympics, winning three bronze medals, marking a historic achievement in this discipline.

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the governing body responsible for Olympic shooting in India, has officially launched the nation’s first franchise-based shooting league, known as the Shooting League of India (SLI). This initiative, proposed by NRAI President Kalikesh Narayana Singh Deo, has received endorsement from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). The inaugural season of the league is anticipated to take place in March 2025. Kalikesh Narayana Singh Deo remarked, “Shooting in its purest Olympic form and format is not considered television-friendly. However, we have all deliberated upon it extensively and feel that we may have arrived at a winning formula.” This development comes in light of India’s prominence in Olympic shooting, having secured numerous medals throughout the years, including one gold, two silvers, and four bronze since the onset of the 21st century. The SLI is poised to encompass all rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines featured in the Olympic Games. NRAI Secretary-General K Sultan Singh stated, “We want to have all 15 Olympic events as part of the SLI but we will try to innovate and tweak some formats to make them more exciting to watch on telecast or live stream.” India continued its tradition of excellence in shooting at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where it achieved a historic milestone by winning three bronze medals in a single sport. Notable performances included Manu Bhaker winning individual bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event and subsequently securing another bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team alongside Sarabjot Singh. Swapnil Kusale also earned bronze in the men’s 50m 3-positions event. The country narrowly missed additional medals, finishing fourth in the 25m pistol (Manu Bhaker), the 10m air rifle (Arjun Babuta), and the skeet mixed team event (Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Maheshwari Chauhan).

Shooting has emerged as one of India’s leading sports at the Olympic Games since the turn of the century, with significant achievements in medal counts. The formation of the Shooting League of India (SLI) by the NRAI aims to enhance the popularity and viewership of the sport by making it more television-friendly. By implementing innovative formats, the league seeks to attract a broader audience and engage fans through live broadcasts or streaming. The endorsement from the ISSF further underscores the league’s legitimacy and potential impact on the sport’s growth in India.

The launch of the Shooting League of India represents a significant step forward for the sport of shooting in India. By adhering to Olympic standards while introducing innovative formats, the league aims to enhance viewership and accessibility. Furthermore, the successful medal tally at the Paris 2024 Olympics highlights India’s capacity for excellence in shooting, setting the stage for future endeavors in the SLI.

Original Source: olympics.com

Related posts:

Thulasimathi Murugesan Advances to Gold Medal Match at Paris Paralympics 2024 After Semifinal Victory Over Manisha Ramadass Suhas Yathiraj Achieves Silver Medal in Men’s Singles Badminton at Paris 2024 Paralympics Exciting Competitions Await at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on September 3rd The Ten Fastest Marathon Courses in the World