The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on 4 September officially unveiled the schedule for final preparatory camps ahead of the 2026 Asian Games, with training split across two premier facilities in Bhopal and New Delhi. The camps are designed to sharpen athletes across all shooting disciplines before they depart for Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where the Games commence on 19 September.

Camp Schedule and Locations

The training programme is divided by discipline across two venues. Rifle and Pistol athletes will train at the MP State Shooting Academy in Bhopal from 5 to 14 September. Shotgun (Skeet) athletes will use the Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi from 4 to 14 September, while Shotgun (Trap) competitors will follow at the same venue from 10 to 18 September.

Running the camps concurrently across two cities reflects NRAI's intent to give each discipline access to purpose-built infrastructure in the days immediately before departure.

What the Officials Said

NRAI President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo said the Games represent 'a monumental opportunity for our shooters to showcase their exceptional talent on the continental stage,' adding that the camps are 'a critical step in our journey to the podium.'

NRAI Secretary General Pawan Kumar noted that organising the camps concurrently across Bhopal and New Delhi ensures athletes 'can train in optimal environments specifically suited to their respective disciplines,' with logistics, infrastructure, and support staff coordinated to let the squad focus entirely on final preparations.

NRAI High Performance Director Pierre Beauchamp said the emphasis at this stage shifts 'from volume to precision, mental conditioning, and technical refinement,' with sports science and coaching teams monitoring individual performance metrics to ensure athletes 'peak exactly when they step onto the range.'

India's Full Shooting Squad for Asian Games 2026

The squad spans rifle, pistol, and shotgun events. In 10m Air Rifle Men, India fields Parth Rakesh Mane, Himanshu Dhillon, and Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil. The 10m Air Rifle Women team comprises Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Uttam Maskar, and Vidarsa K. Vinod.

In 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Niraj Kumar, and Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil have been named. The women's counterpart features Ashi Chouksey, Vidarsa K. Vinod, and Tilottama Sen.

The 10m Air Pistol Men squad includes Kedarling B. Uchaganve, Kamaljeet, and Aakash Bharadwaj, while the women's team has Suruchi, Esha Singh, and Manu Bhaker. Anish is the sole representative in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men. Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker, and Rahi Sarnobat will compete in 25m Sports Pistol Women.

Mixed team pairings include Parth Rakesh Mane and Elavenil Valarivan in 10m Air Rifle, and Kedarling B. Uchaganve and Suruchi in 10m Air Pistol.

In shotgun, Kynan Chenai, Ahvar Rizvi, and Shapath Bharadwaj represent India in Trap Men; Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, and Mairaj Ahmad Khan in Skeet Men. The women's trap team is Neeru, Manisha Keer, and Aashima Ahlawat, while Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Raiza Dhillon, and Maheshwari Chauhan compete in Skeet Women. Mixed team pairings are Kynan Chenai and Neeru (Trap) and Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Parinaaz Dhaliwal (Skeet).

Asian Games Shooting Schedule

Shooting events at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya are scheduled from 17 September to 3 October at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Range in Japan. India will be looking to build on its strong shooting tradition at the continental Games as the squad enters its final phase of preparation.