India has been chosen to host the prestigious 2026 Asian Rifle/Pistol Cup, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) announced on Wednesday. This marks another major milestone in the country’s push to bring world-class sporting events to its shores.
The decision to award India the continental tournament was made by the executive committee of the Asian Shooting Confederation (ASC). In a letter from ASC Secretary-General Eng. Duaij AlOtaibi to NRAI Secretary-General K. Sultan Singh, the host federation has been asked to confirm the proposed dates for the event.
Reacting to the announcement, Sultan Singh expressed his gratitude, saying, “We are delighted to have been allotted yet another top international shooting competition. We are extremely grateful to the executive committee of the ASC and assure them of putting our best foot forward as always.”
NRAI President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo also welcomed the decision, noting, “This is yet another testament to the stature of Indian shooting in the international circuit. We are extremely pleased that our top athletes will get another opportunity to showcase their skills in front of home fans and compete against the best in the world.”
India has previously hosted major shooting events, including the 8th Asian Air Gun competition in 2015 and the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in 2016. Additionally, India has hosted six International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) competitions, including two World Cup Finals, with the most recent one held in New Delhi last month.
The announcement comes as part of India’s continued efforts to develop and promote shooting sports, which have seen growing success on the global stage. The 2026 Asian Rifle/Pistol Cup is expected to provide Indian shooters with a valuable platform to compete at the highest level while strengthening the country’s reputation as a hub for international sporting events.
India’s growing role in global shooting competitions reflects the country’s commitment to nurturing its shooting talent, supported by the Government of India, the Ministry of Sports, and the Sports Authority of India.
