New shooting league will help nurture future Olympians: Deo

National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Kalikesh Singh Deo said on Monday that the upcoming Shooting League of India will ensure a bright future for the sport in the country. The inaugural edition of the league, which will be held in February in the national capital, will feature four teams and comprise all the disciplines that are part of the Olympic Games.

Deo was in attendance during the launch of the UP Prometheans franchise here on Monday. With teams from Delhi and Mumbai already on board, the Uttar Pradesh-based outfit is the third to throw its hat into the ring.

“The league is the future that shooting is going to go towards. The idea is to try and bring the best in the world to come and compete on domestic ground through a franchise-based model, with private individuals willing to come in and provide a platform to help our shooters develop a future for tomorrow,” Deo told the media on Monday.

“We need to identify them young. And we need to ensure that there’s an environment that nurtures them, provides them the right focus and support, so that they can nourish and achieve their ambition of being an Olympian,” he added.

The league will be held soon after the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship, which is scheduled from February 2 to 14 at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in Delhi.