Shooting League of India postponed to early 2026
The inaugural edition of the Shooting League of India (SLI) was on Saturday postponed to early 2026.
“The schedule has been revised for better calendar alignment across International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), athletes, prospective franchises, and broadcast partners,” a statement from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) read.
It was learnt that a few prominent international athletes weren’t able to confirm participation due to other commitments. A number of shooters, including a former Olympic and World Championships gold medallist, had also backed out over the course of the past few months.
The NRAI president, Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, who met with the Delhi and Mumbai franchise owners at the Worli Shooting Range to discuss team-building, athlete onboarding, marketing roll-outs, and venue readiness, said: “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.”
He added, “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, but it is an economically viable platform that will bring recognition, investment, and wider participation into the sport.”
Gaurav Agarwal, the team principal of the Delhi franchise, said, “The amount of focus the government has given to sports in the last decade is tremendously exciting. 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. More than the kids, it is the parents who need to be inspired, and once that happens, I see no reason why India will not become a global shooting hub in the next 10–15 years.”
“We are looking at a long-term 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 the national and international level. Shooting may be an expensive sport, but with the right ecosystem, we can help India produce world champions,” he added.
Zahir Hawa, co-owner of the Mumbai franchise, said, “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.”
The highly anticipated inaugural season will see the franchises divided into two pools, with competition across mixed team events in pistol (10m, 25m), rifle (10m, 50m 3P), and shotgun (Trap & Skeet) disciplines. Shooters will be categorised into four tiers — Elite Champions, World Elite, National Champions, and Junior & Youth Champions — ensuring a vibrant mix of experience and emerging talent, while fostering the next generation of shooting stars.
Published on Oct 11, 2025