Shooting League of India Postponed to Early 2026
The much-anticipated inaugural edition of the Shooting League of India (SLI) has been officially postponed to early 2026. This decision was made following a meeting between the president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and franchise owners from Delhi and Mumbai at the iconic Worli Shooting Range.
Reasons for Postponement
The NRAI stated that the schedule has been revised to ensure better calendar alignment with the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), athletes, potential franchises, and broadcast partners. This change comes in light of several prominent international athletes being unable to confirm their participation due to prior commitments. In addition, numerous shooters, including a former Olympic and World Championships gold medallist, have withdrawn in recent months.
Stakeholder Collaboration
During the meeting, NRAI president Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo expressed enthusiasm about working with the franchise owners. He remarked, “It was wonderful to meet the owners of our Mumbai and Delhi franchises. Everyone is excited to embark on this journey that will herald the future of Indian shooting.”
Singh Deo emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “For any league to succeed, all stakeholders — shooters, franchise owners, and the federation — must grow together. Our responsibility at NRAI is to provide full technical and logistical support and create a healthy, collaborative environment to take the league forward as true partners. The SLI is not just a competition; it is an economically viable platform that will bring recognition, investment, and wider participation into the sport.”
Long-term Vision for Indian Shooting
Gaurav Agarwal, the team principal of the Delhi franchise, highlighted the increased focus on sports in India over the past decade. He noted, “Shooting has brought so much glory to India — from Abhinav Bindra igniting that fire years ago to our recent Olympic heroes inspiring a new generation.” Agarwal believes that the inspiration must extend beyond athletes to parents, stating, “Once that happens, I see no reason why India will not become a global shooting hub in the next 10–15 years.”
Agarwal also discussed the long-term goals of the league: “We are looking at a vision that goes beyond just the league. Our goal is to provide shooters with year-round access to ranges, quality training, and consistent support so they can excel at both national and international levels. Although shooting may be an expensive sport, with the right ecosystem, we can help India produce world champions.”
Commitment to the Sport
Zahir Hawa, co-owner of the Mumbai franchise, shared his deep-rooted passion for shooting: “We have been part of shooting for nearly three decades — it is in our blood. Getting into the Shooting League of India and putting our skin in the game is our way of showing commitment to the sport and helping take it to the next level.”
Format of the Inaugural Season
The upcoming inaugural season promises to be exciting, with franchises divided into two pools. The competition will feature mixed team events across various disciplines:
- Pistol: 10m, 25m
- Rifle: 10m, 50m 3P
- Shotgun: Trap & Skeet
Shooters will be categorized into four tiers:
- Elite Champions
- World Elite
- National Champions
- Junior & Youth Champions
This tiered system is designed to ensure a vibrant mix of experience and emerging talent, ultimately fostering the next generation of shooting stars.