Mohali: In a significant development for Indian shooting sports, Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has officially commenced his first full four-year term as President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), while veteran shooting administrator Pawan Singh has been elected unopposed as the body’s Secretary-General.
Leadership reaffirmed as elections conclude smoothly
The elections were held at a General Body meeting at Park Plaza hotel in Mohali, under the supervision of retired Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, serving as Returning Officer. Both Singh Deo and Pawan Singh were elected unopposed — signalling a strong consensus within the NRAI membership.
Along with the presidential and secretary-general posts, a new Executive Committee (EC) and Governing Body were constituted, completing the reorganization of the federation’s top decision-making organs.
What the new leadership says — and plans ahead
Singh Deo, on taking charge, emphasised that “Indian shooting has currently seen its most successful phase in history over the last couple of years, both in terms of success and popularity,” and acknowledged that the growing acclaim brings greater responsibility. He pledged to work tirelessly to “accelerate this growth momentum” and maximise the potential of India’s talented shooters.
Pawan Singh, for his part, underscored the importance of adopting modern tools — stressing that while NRAI’s registration-to-results processes are already online, the next step is to harness technology efficiently. He outlined plans to use data analytics and artificial intelligence to identify promising shooters across India, and to expand coaching infrastructure — including training for coaches and creating alternate career pathways for retired shooters.
New faces in NRAI leadership — a blend of experience and fresh regional representation
The 2025 elections also saw other key appointments: Amit Sanghi from Telangana was elected Senior Vice-President — marking the first time a Southern-region representative has assumed that role at the national level.
Meanwhile, within the 15-member Executive Committee, two new Vice-Presidents — Kanwar Sultan Singh and Sushma Singh — were elected, and four sportspersons including Olympic medallist Gagan Narang, Kunti Malik, Zorawar Singh Sandhu and Elavenil Valarivan were confirmed as EC members.
What it means for Indian shooting ahead
With a consolidated and unanimously-elected leadership at the helm, NRAI appears poised for a new phase of structured growth and modernization. The fresh emphasis on technology, data-driven talent scouting and inclusive coaching development suggests a long-term vision aimed at widening the talent pool across India and sustaining competitive success internationally.
The blend of experienced administrators and athlete representatives in the new Governing Body could help balance governance with grassroots realities — a promising sign for transparency, better coordination, and renewed ambition for India’s shooting sports ecosystem.
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