NRAI launches 75th anniversary celebrations, unveils vision for shooting’s future

New Delhi: The National Rifle Association of India marked a significant milestone by kicking off its 75th anniversary celebrations at a landmark event attended by Mansukh Mandaviya, alongside leading dignitaries and athletes. The occasion also helped sustain momentum for the upcoming Shooting League of India, highlighting the sport’s forward-looking vision in the country.

To commemorate the occasion, NRAI unveiled a special 75-year logo, representing decades of excellence, discipline, and achievement in Indian shooting.

In a major announcement, the federation also introduced an ambitious nationwide grassroots programme aimed at engaging 7,50,000 school and college students in shooting ahead of the 2028 Olympics. The initiative will offer a hands-on “10-shot experience” and will be implemented across states in collaboration with institutions such as Central Board of Secondary Education, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, universities, school boards, and state associations.

The initiative is designed to create awareness and participation at the grassroots level, helping identify and inspire the next generation of Indian shooters.

The occasion also saw the official launch of the NRAI Athlete App, a transformative digital platform that positions NRAI as India’s first fully digitised sports federation. The app will serve as a one-stop ecosystem for athlete management—from onboarding and registering 7,50,000 youth participants under the federation’s grassroots programme, to issuing certificates, maintaining records, and monitoring the performances of India’s elite and international shooters.

Adding to the significance of the occasion, NRAI presented a 75-year logo memento to the Hon’ble Sports Minister as a token of gratitude and to commemorate the twin milestones for Indian shooting.

Speaking on the occasion, Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports said, “As the NRAI celebrates 75 remarkable years, it is encouraging to see Indian shooting embrace innovation and a long-term vision through initiatives like the Athlete App, grassroots outreach to 7.5 lakh youth, and the upcoming Shooting League of India. These efforts will help identify talent, strengthen our sporting ecosystem, and create greater opportunities for athletes. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has shown immense growth in sports, and with the right planning, integration, and commitment, we can emerge as one of the world’s leading sporting nations in the years ahead."

Also, NRAI President Kalikesh Singh Deo shared his views and stated, “As we celebrate 75 remarkable years of the NRAI, this milestone is not only about reflecting on our legacy but also about shaping the future of Indian shooting. Our vision is to make the sport more accessible, aspirational, and engaging for the next generation. Through nationwide grassroots initiatives, the launch of the NRAI Athlete App, and the continued momentum of the Shooting League of India, we are laying the foundation for a stronger and more inclusive ecosystem for the sport in India.”

NRAI Secretary General Pawankumar Singh added, “The 75th anniversary celebrations are a landmark moment for Indian shooting, and this year-long programme reflects the scale of our ambition. From introducing 7,50,000 young students to the sport before the 2028 Olympics through the ‘10-shot experience’ to leveraging technology through the Athlete App and creating new opportunities for athletes through the Shooting League of India, we are focused on building robust pathways for talent identification, athlete development, and greater fan engagement.”

Present at the event were also some of the top Indian shooters, both current and former, including star pistol shooter and two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker. Speaking at the event, she said, "The NRAI has played a huge role in shaping Indian shooting over the last 75 years, and I’m proud to be part of this journey. Initiatives like introducing 7,50,000 young students to the sport and launching the Athlete App show that Indian shooting is thinking boldly for the future. The more accessible we make the sport at the grassroots level, the stronger our talent pipeline will become. I’m excited to see how these efforts inspire the next generation of champions."

Meanwhile, the event also highlighted the continued excitement around the Shooting League of India, India’s first franchise-based professional shooting league, which promises to transform the sport into a more fan-facing and engaging experience. While the SLI logo has already been unveiled, the league remains a key pillar in NRAI’s broader vision to mainstream the sport and expand its audience reach.

Further, the event featured the screening of an exciting teaser of the upcoming SLI, offering guests and members of the media a first glimpse into the league’s dynamic and fan-focused vision. The short video clip highlighted the league’s innovative franchise-based and team-oriented format, aimed at making shooting more engaging, accessible, and commercially appealing to a wider audience.

The teaser further reinforced NRAI’s commitment to transforming the sport into a more mainstream and spectator-friendly property while building momentum towards the league’s much-anticipated launch.

With a rich legacy behind it and an ambitious future ahead, NRAI’s 75th anniversary celebrations mark not just a moment of reflection, but a bold statement of intent for the continued growth of Indian shooting.

Tags : Manu Bhaker, NRAI, Rifle, Mansukh Mandaviya, Narendra Modi