The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) 'A' Coaches Course commenced on Saturday, 10 October 2026, at Taj Surajkund, marking the first time the ISSF's premier coaching certification programme has been hosted in India. The landmark initiative, organised by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), signals a significant step in the country's ambition to build a world-class, self-reliant coaching infrastructure ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

About the Course and Participants

A total of 30 candidates are enrolled in the course — 29 coaches from India and one from the United States of America. The curriculum covers elite technical standards, sport psychology, biomechanics, and modern high-performance training methods. The course will run through the week, combining extensive classroom lectures with practical technical evaluations.

The instructional faculty is led by Rifle Head Instructor Manoj Kumar, assisted by Prajakta Hosur, and Pistol Head Instructor Agi Kassoumi, assisted by Vidya Jadhav. The opening ceremony was attended by NRAI Secretary General Pawankumar Singh and ISSF Academy Director Vesa Nissinen.

What NRAI Leadership Said

Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, President of the NRAI, called it a defining moment for Indian shooting. 'Hosting the ISSF 'A' Coaches Course in India is a defining moment for our sport. Elite performance demands continuous technical refinement and modern knowledge. The NRAI remains committed to institutionalising coach education. Bringing global expertise to our doorstep ensures a structured pathway for sustainable international success,' he said.

NRAI Secretary General Pawankumar Singh emphasised that developing world-class athletes must begin with developing world-class coaches. 'If we want to develop world-class athletes, we must first develop world-class coaches. Following the success of our 'B' courses, this programme marks an important step towards a self-reliant coaching ecosystem in India,' he said. Singh added that 'the true success of this course will not be measured merely by certificates' but by the knowledge filtered down to young athletes across the country.

The Olympic Roadmap Behind the Initiative

The ISSF 'A' Course is the highest tier of coaching certification offered by the global body, and its arrival in India follows the country's growing medal presence on the international shooting circuit. Notably, this course builds on earlier ISSF 'B' programmes already conducted domestically, with the 'A' level representing a significant upgrade in technical depth and global recognition.

Singh explicitly linked the programme to India's podium ambitions, stating that these coaches 'will play a vital role in preparing future champions' as the country targets medals at Los Angeles 2028 and plans beyond to 2032 and 2036. Educating one coach, he argued, creates opportunities for hundreds of athletes at academies across the country.

Broader Significance for Indian Shooting

The NRAI has framed this initiative as part of a long-term framework to elevate domestic coaching to international standards. India has been among the most successful nations at ISSF World Cups and World Championships in recent years, and a structured coaching pipeline is increasingly seen as critical to sustaining and expanding that success at the Olympic level. The course's completion this week will be closely watched by the shooting fraternity as a test of whether India can generate ISSF-certified coaches at scale.