NRAI chief Kalikesh Singh Deo appointed interim chair of ISSF E-Sports and Innovation Committee
NRAI President Kalikesh Singh Deo has been appointed Interim Chairperson of the ISSF Committee on E-Sports and Innovations. The role strengthens India’s global influence in shooting sports and supports tech-driven developments like e-shooting and the upcoming Shooting League of India.
Hyderabad: The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) informed on Thursday that its President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has been appointed as the Interim Chairperson of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Committee on E-Sports, E-Games, and Technological Innovations.
The same has been confirmed via a formal letter sent yesterday from the ISSF Headquarters in Munich, addressed to Shri. Singh Deo and duly signed by the ISSF President Luciano Rossi and Secretary General Alessandro Nicotra di San Giacomo. The appointment marks an important milestone for India’s growing influence in international shooting sport governance.
The newly formed committee is a strategic initiative by the ISSF to explore and integrate emerging digital and technological trends such as virtual and augmented reality formats, e-shooting competitions, and innovations in judging and training technologies.
Singh Deo’s appointment to this critical role is a recognition of his visionary leadership, deep commitment to the development of shooting sports, and his proactive approach to embracing technology-driven progress.
It can be noted that in its aim to promote the sport of shooting across the globe, the NRAI under Shri. Singh Deo’s leadership has also sanctioned the inaugural edition of the Shooting League of India (SLI) with support from ISSF.
The national governing body has allocated the window between November 20, 2025 and December 2, 2025 for the first edition of the highly-anticipated league, which is also expected to see digital and technological innovations.
Narayan Singh Deo said he was deeply honoured to be entrusted by the ISSF with this exciting responsibility.
“The future of sport lies at the intersection of technology and accessibility. As we work towards creating frameworks that bring virtual and e-shooting into the mainstream, I look forward to collaborating with global experts to shape an inclusive and innovation-driven future for the shooting community,” he said.
This appointment comes at a time when India’s shooting sport ecosystem is rapidly evolving, with younger athletes and coaches embracing technology in training, and fans engaging through digital platforms like never before.
Narayan Singh Deo’s leadership of the ISSF committee is expected to further India’s contribution to global shooting sport innovation as the mandate includes exploring the regulatory and competitive framework for E-shooting and E-gaming formats, evaluating global best practices in technological innovation in shooting sport and recommending pilot projects and digital platforms for broader fan engagement.
