Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has been elected as the new president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) in a tightly contested election, winning 36-21 over V.K. Dhall. His victory marks a pivotal moment in Indian shooting, as it brings an end to Raninder Singh’s 12-year tenure, which concluded due to National Sports Code restrictions. Kalikesh will serve as president until the next NRAI general body meeting in 2025.
His election signals a new chapter for Indian shooting, aiming to usher in a period of growth and international success. With a focus on building high-performance centres, Kalikesh seeks to enhance the training infrastructure and raise the standard of Indian shooting athletes.
During his interim leadership, India made a significant breakthrough at the Paris Olympics, securing three bronze medals and ending a dry spell from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Kalikesh’s guidance was key in steering the shooters to success, marking a revitalized era for Indian shooting on the global stage.
Looking ahead, Kalikesh faces the immediate challenge of overseeing the ISSF World Cup Final, set to take place from October 13 to 18 at the Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi. This prestigious event will be an early test of his leadership as India’s top shooters compete against the world’s best on home ground.
Beyond the World Cup Final, Kalikesh’s long-term vision focuses on developing a robust talent pipeline for Indian shooting. By establishing high-performance training centres and nurturing young athletes, he aims to position India as a global powerhouse in the sport. His dynamic approach and ambition to elevate the stature of Indian shooting both domestically and internationally have ignited high expectations for his presidency. The nation’s shooting community looks forward to sustained growth under his leadership.