The Shooting League of India (SLI) 2025 is set to revolutionise the landscape of Indian shooting sports.
Scheduled from November 24 to December 7, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) officially announced the league with the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) recognising it as an international event.
This marks a significant step in India’s ambition to establish itself as a dominant force in global shooting.
A Long-Awaited, ISSF-Recognized Spectacle
The concept of a franchise-based shooting league was first introduced by the NRAI last year, with the initial plans to hold the tournament in March 2025. However, with ISSF’s full endorsement and an official calendar slot, the SLI now promises to attract top shooters from India and abroad, making it a world-class competition.
Kalikesh Narayana Singh Deo, the NRAI president, expressed his excitement about this development.
“With the ISSF now recognizing the SLI and allotting a window for it in its official calendar, it is now officially an international competition. With India’s already strong profile in the sport globally, this would help attract most top shooters to the league, besides the unique nature of the league itself.”
This ISSF recognition ensures that the SLI will be a globally relevant tournament, potentially drawing international participation while providing Indian shooters with much-needed high-level competitive exposure at home.
A Boost for Indian Shooters
India has emerged as a powerhouse in shooting, consistently delivering Olympic and World Championship medals in recent years. Since the turn of the century, Indian shooters have secured one gold, two silver, and four bronze medals in the Olympics.
The Paris 2024 Olympics saw India clinch three bronze medals:
• Manu Bhaker won an individual bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event.
• Bhaker also teamed up with Sarabjot Singh to secure a bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.
• Swapnil Kusale added another medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3-positions event.
Additionally, India came agonizingly close to more medals, with fourth-place finishes in:
• Women’s 25m pistol (Manu Bhaker)
• Men’s 10m air rifle (Arjun Babuta)
• Skeet mixed team (Anantjeet Singh Naruka & Maheshwari Chauhan)
The SLI aims to capitalize on this momentum, ensuring Indian shooters get regular, high-quality competition domestically, leading to even better performances on the world stage.
How the Shooting League of India is Structured
The Shooting League of India (SLI) will be modeled on franchise-based leagues, similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL) in cricket. This format has proven successful in engaging a wider audience, generating regional pride, and attracting sponsors.
Key Features of the League:
1. Inclusion of Olympic Disciplines:
The SLI will feature all 15 Olympic events across rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines.
2. Franchise-Based Teams:
Shooters will compete for different franchises, creating a high-stakes, fan-friendly environment.
3. International Participation:
The league will invite top shooters from across the world, giving Indian athletes the chance to compete against the best.
4. Televised and Digital Broadcasts:
The NRAI plans to innovate the format to make shooting more exciting for live-streaming and TV audiences.
According to NRAI Secretary-General K Sultan Singh,
“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.”
The Importance of SLI for Indian Shooting
The SLI is set to bring several benefits to Indian shooting and its athletes:
1. Consistent Competitive Exposure
Unlike other sports, Indian shooters primarily compete in international events, with limited domestic leagues. The SLI will provide shooters with regular, high-quality competition, helping them stay in top form throughout the year.
2. Increased Financial Support for Shooters
With franchise-based sponsorships, shooters can secure better financial backing, allowing them to invest in training, equipment, and travel.
3. Wider Fan Engagement
Shooting is often considered a niche sport, but with an IPL-style league, the SLI can attract new audiences and create a passionate fan base.
4. Talent Development & Grassroots Growth
The league can act as a pipeline for young shooters, providing them with an opportunity to compete alongside Olympic and World Championship winners.
A New Chapter for Indian Shooting
The SLI is not just about competition; it is a strategic move by the NRAI to make shooting a spectator-friendly, commercially viable sport. By blending elite-level competition with entertainment, the league could elevate Indian shooting to the next level.
With a successful debut in November-December 2025, the Shooting League of India could soon become a regular feature on the global shooting calendar, further strengthening India’s standing in the sport.
As preparations for the league continue, fans can look forward to a thrilling new chapter in Indian sports—one where precision, skill, and passion take center stage.
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