Delhi to host ISSF World Cup finals in 2017

NEW DELHI: Delhi will host the ISSF World Cup finals in 2017, the National Rifle Association of India said today.

The International Shooting Sport Federation Executive Committee, which met in Moscow yesterday, made the decision to award the 2017 edition of the ISSF World Cup finals (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun combined) to the Indian capital.

The event will be hosted in October. This is in addition to the ISSF World Cup series scheduled to be held in the capital in February 2017.

NRAI president Raninder Singh was also awarded with the prestigious 'ISSF President Button' at the same meeting, for his contribution to the growth of shooting.

Raninder said,"This is a recognition of India's growing reputation in the sport of shooting and on the behalf of the entire federation, I would like to thank the ISSF for bestowing upon us the honour to host the World Cup Finals for the very first time.

"The credit goes to our champion shooters first of all, the Sports Authority of India and the Government of India for supporting us throughout in the growth of the sport in the country and the entire team at NRAI for their untiring efforts in raising the profile of the sport in the country.

"We hope to put our best foot forward in organizing these marquee events. I would also like to thank the President personally for awarding me with the 'ISSF President Button'. It is a personal confidence booster for myself."

Raninder took over as President of NRAI in December 2010. Since then the sport has grown in stature in the country. A junior programme was conceived and successfully implemented for the first time.

This has resulted in a steady pipeline of champion shooters coming up the ranks, given top quality coaching and global exposure.

India has also consistently won medals at the World Championship, World Cup Series and the World Cup finals stage. At the 2012 London Olympic Games, India won two medals in shooting - a silver and bronze - out of the six medals won overall.

The Indian shooting squad has also managed to secure an all-time high of 12 Olympic quotas for the upcoming Rio Games, scheduled to begin in August.