Mandaviya launches NRAI athlete app, grassroots drive to introduce 7.5 lakh youth to shooting
New Delhi: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya attended the 75th anniversary celebrations of the National Rifle Association of India on Sunday, where a nationwide grassroots initiative and a new digital athlete management platform were launched.
The programme aims to introduce 7.5 lakh school and college students to shooting through a hands-on “10-shot experience,” building interest in the sport ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics.
It will be rolled out across the country in collaboration with institutions such as the Central Board of Secondary Education, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, universities, school boards, and state-level associations, with a focus on grassroots participation and talent identification.
The event also marked the launch of the NRAI Athlete App, a digital platform designed to manage athlete onboarding, registration, certification, and performance tracking of Indian and international shooters. NRAI said the initiative makes it India’s first fully digital sports federation.
A commemorative logo celebrating 75 years of the NRAI was unveiled, which also served to build momentum for the upcoming Shooting League of India, a planned team-based professional league aimed at increasing the sport’s appeal.
Speaking at the event, Mandaviya said such initiatives —Athlete App, the grassroots outreach and the Shooting League of India—reflect long-term planning and will strengthen India’s sports ecosystem.
NRAI president Kalikesh Singh Deo highlighted the goal of making shooting more accessible, while secretary general Pawankumar Singh emphasised the importance of building stronger talent pathways and fan engagement.
Among the athletes present was Manu Bhaker, a two-time Olympic medallist, who noted that expanding grassroots access would help deepen India’s talent pool in shooting.
The event also featured a teaser for the Shooting League of India, highlighting the proposed team-based franchise structure aimed at making the sport more engaging and broadening its audience.
NRAI officials said the celebrations underscored both the federation’s legacy and its future vision, with a renewed focus on expanding the reach and popularity of shooting across the country.
(DD News)
