MP Sports Minister backs NRAI talent hunt to introduce 7.5 lakh students to shooting
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh's sports minister has thrown his weight behind a landmark NRAI initiative to introduce 7.5 lakh youth to shooting, even as the state eyes hosting the Shooting League of India. With India bidding for the 2036 Olympics, the convergence of state ambition and national shooting infrastructure could reshape India's medal prospects in the sport.
Key Takeaways
Vishvas Kailash Sarang , MP Sports Minister , pledged support for NRAI's talent hunt on 2 May at the 24th KSSM competition in Bhopal .
The talent hunt aims to introduce 7.5 lakh school and college students to shooting as part of NRAI's 75th Anniversary celebrations.
Madhya Pradesh expressed strong interest in hosting the Shooting League of India , positioning it as a world-class competition.
The state aims to produce maximum medal winners in shooting for India at the 2036 Olympics , which India is bidding to host.
3,800 shooting athletes from 37 units are competing in the 24th KSSM , held simultaneously in Bhopal (rifle) and New Delhi 's Dr.
Karni Singh Shooting Range (pistol).
Vishvas Kailash Sarang, Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh, on 2 May pledged strong support for the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI)'s talent hunt initiative and the Shooting League of India (SLI), announced as part of NRAI's 75th Anniversary celebrations. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 24th Kumar Surendra Singh Memorial (KSSM) Shooting competition at the M.P. Shooting Academy in Bhopal, Sarang outlined the state's ambition to position itself as a medal factory for shooting at the 2036 Olympics, which India is bidding to host.
The talent hunt initiative
The NRAI's talent hunt aims to introduce 7.5 lakh school and college students across the country to competitive shooting. Sarang expressed confidence that Madhya Pradesh's existing youth programmes — including Summer Camp Aroh-2026 and Khelo M.P. Youth Games — will amplify NRAI's reach and help identify shooting talent from the state pipeline.
Madhya Pradesh's Olympic ambitions
The state government has signalled its intent to host the Shooting League of India, framing it as a world-class competition that would elevate the state's shooting ecosystem. Sarang stated that this move aligns with a broader mission to produce the maximum medal count in shooting for India at the 2036 Olympics.
NRAI secretary general's endorsement
Pawankumar Singh, Secretary General, NRAI, welcomed the state's backing, noting that the KSSM competition serves as both a platform for emerging talent and a tribute to Late Kumar Surendra Singh, the former NRAI President whose contributions to shooting development remain foundational. Singh credited Sarang's leadership for giving sports in Madhya Pradesh
Point of View
Converting 7.5 lakh introductions into sustained participation and Olympic medals requires execution discipline — a track record Indian sports bodies have historically struggled to maintain. The 2036 Olympics bid adds urgency; without credible talent pipelines, the promise will remain rhetorical.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NRAI talent hunt initiative?
It is a nationwide talent identification programme announced as part of NRAI's 75th Anniversary celebrations, aiming to introduce 7.5 lakh school and college students to competitive shooting. The initiative seeks to broaden the base of shooting talent across India.
Why is Madhya Pradesh keen to host the Shooting League of India?
MP Sports Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang has expressed a strong desire for the state to host the Shooting League of India, framing it as a world-class competition that would inspire and develop shooting talent within the state and position MP as a medal factory for the 2036 Olympics.
What is the 24th Kumar Surendra Singh Memorial competition?
It is a national shooting championship held simultaneously in Bhopal (rifle events) and New Delhi's Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range (pistol events), honouring the late NRAI President Kumar Surendra Singh. The 24th edition features 3,800 athletes representing 37 units from across India.
How does this initiative connect to the 2036 Olympics?
India is bidding to host the 2036 Olympics. Madhya Pradesh's talent hunt and Shooting League of India are positioned as part of a broader strategy to develop Olympic-level shooting talent and maximize India's medal prospects in shooting at the 2036 Games.
Which youth programmes is Madhya Pradesh leveraging for the talent hunt?
The state is using existing programmes including Summer Camp Aroh-2026 and Khelo M.P. Youth Games to amplify NRAI's reach and help identify shooting talent from MP's youth pipeline.
