Shooting League will change how parents view the sport: Niraj Kumar

World Cup gold medallist Niraj Kumar, who won silver at the 68th National Shooting Championships, said the Shooting League of India will help popularise the sport, inspire young athletes and assure parents that shooting offers a sustainable career path.

Hyderabad: World Cup gold medalist and Indian shooter Niraj Kumar recently delivered a standout performance at the 68th National Shooting Championships in Bhopal.
Securing a silver medal in the men’s 50m 3P category, Kumar reflected on his professional journey and evaluated the evolving landscape of the sport with the introduction of the Shooting League of India (SLI).

Kumar’s journey from a small border town in the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab to the national podium is a testament to the resilience required in the elite sport. Beginning his path through the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in 2014, Kumar overcame significant financial hurdles and spent years convincing his parents to support his career in shooting. His eventual selection for the Indian Navy served as the turning point that secured his family’s support for his ambitions.

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With the launch of the SLI, Kumar believes the younger generation will not face the same obstacles. He suggests the league will provide parents with the confidence to view shooting as a viable and secure career path for their children.

“Families often encourage a child to pursue a sport only after seeing successful examples within that discipline. The Shooting League of India will help establish those examples for the public. Audiences will enjoy the format and begin to recognize the future opportunities this sport offers,” said Kumar.

He further noted, “Normally, our audience is limited to those who already understand or have practiced shooting. However, with the league being broadcast, a wider audience will have the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the sport.”

A significant highlight for Kumar is the league’s potential to pair domestic athletes with international legends. He expressed excitement at the prospect of training and competing alongside global icons, specifically mentioning Hungarian World Champion István Péni and Indian teammate Kiran Jadhav.

“I am excited to shoot alongside Hungarian athlete István Péni and my Indian teammate Kiran Jadhav. It would be even better if we are in the same team,” Kumar revealed.

Commenting on his recent national success and the preparations that led to his podium finish, Kumar lauded the infrastructure available at national training centers.

“I did not follow a specific regime for the national championships. However, the infrastructure at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, where I train, is excellent. We are provided with hostel accommodations and three meals a day. Additionally, we receive ammunition for training, which is a significant advantage,” Kumar stated.

“Since shooting is an individual sport and requires us to stay in our lane, focus on our target and fight with ourselves, we do not pay much attention to each other. This is a positive aspect of our game,” he said. He further added, “So we meet, talk to each other, hang out. Everything goes well. There is no negativity in the range.”