Mumbai, Feb 18 (NationPress) The 16th Lakshya Cup is set to showcase India’s elite 20 shooters in the 10m Air Rifle category at the Lakshya Shooting Club within the Karnala Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. These athletes aim to enhance their preparation for the upcoming trials for this year's significant event—the Asian Games in Japan.

This prestigious, invitation-only tournament will be held from February 21 to 22, gathering both junior and senior shooters in a meticulously organized competition adhering to international standards. This event provides equal opportunities for men and women, along with cash prizes and equipment awards for outstanding performers.

Among the prominent contenders are Kiran Jadhav (current National Champion and World Championship medalist), Sonam Maskar (ISSF World Cup medalist), Parth Mane (current National Games Champion and Junior World Champion), Rajshree Sancheti (international shooter and former National Champion), and Ojasvi Thakur (Asian Championships Youth gold medalist). The Senior Champion will be awarded ₹1.5 lakh and the rotating Silver Trophy, currently held by Kiran Jadhav of the Navy.

The Junior Champion will receive ₹75,000, with additional cash rewards for other podium finishers. Participants will also have opportunities to win shooting gear and accessories.

Established in 2006, the Lakshya Shooting Club launched the Lakshya Cup in 2009 as an internal club event. This tournament was founded by Olympian, Arjuna Awardee, and Dronacharya Awardee Suma Shirur, who is also the Founder and High-Performance Director of the club. Since 2016, it has evolved into one of India’s most esteemed invitation-only rifle competitions, aimed at offering structured exposure and competitive challenges for emerging and elite shooters.

In her remarks about the 16th edition, Suma Shirur stated, “The Lakshya Cup was designed to equip Indian rifle shooters for the rigors of international competition. High performance is cultivated through structured training, discipline, and exposure to competitive pressure. This platform encourages athletes to perform with poise and consistency at the highest levels.”

The finals are scheduled for February 22, with the Junior 10m Air Rifle Final at 2:00 PM, followed by the Senior 10m Air Rifle Final at 3:30 PM. The Prize Distribution Ceremony will take place at 5:30 PM.

A key aspect of the Lakshya Cup since 2009 has been the commitment to gender equality. Both men and women in the senior category, as well as boys and girls in the junior category, compete for the same podium spots. This aligns with the belief that shooting performance is based on skill, focus, and temperament and reflects the sport's global trends, including Olympic mixed team events.

The 16th RR Lakshya Cup 2025 is grateful for the support from the Maharashtra Rifle Association and the National Rifle Association of India, along with partners such as Capapie Sports (Equipment Partner), Tiro Sports (Accessories Partner), Karnala Sports Academy (Venue Partner), Munoth Group (Realty Partner), Tara Chand Infralogistic Solutions Ltd. (Logistics Partner), and Texon Corporation (Technology Partner).