'The Time is Ripe for a Shooting Revolution': World Record Holder Sift Kaur Samra Backs Shooting League of India

New Delhi – Indian shooting sensation Sift Kaur Samra, who recently clinched bronze in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions at the ISSF World Cup in Munich, has thrown her full support behind the upcoming Shooting League of India (SLI), hailing it as a "game-changer" for the sport.

The 23-year-old from Punjab, who etched her name in history with a world record score of 469.6 at the 2022 Asian Games, believes the launch of India’s first professional shooting league could unlock a new era for Indian shooters and emerging talent.

“This is the first time something like this is happening in Indian shooting, and it’s a huge step forward,” said Sift. “People still don’t know much about shooting as a sport. A league format brings it closer to audiences and gives us shooters a brand new platform to grow—both in terms of performance and personality.”

Sift, a proven force on the international circuit with multiple medals to her name, expressed particular excitement about the league’s team-based format, which will see India’s top shooters face off—possibly alongside international stars.

“Usually, we compete individually or as part of national teams on the global stage. But the league will have us going head-to-head in domestic teams. That’s fresh, that’s exciting—and it will be intense. Every shot will count. There's no backup from rankings or qualification points. It's just raw sport, and viewers are going to love that.”

She also compared the potential impact of the SLI to the Indian Premier League in cricket, saying the league could revolutionize how shooting is perceived and followed in India.

“I’ve had people call my parents asking how to get their kids into shooting. If a league like this is visible on TV or social media, it will build massive awareness. Just like the IPL brought attention to India’s domestic cricket talent, the Shooting League can do the same for our sport.”

Sift is especially enthusiastic about the opportunity to interact with junior shooters and international athletes, something that doesn’t usually happen in standard competitions.

“There are many juniors I’ve never met because we compete in different categories. This league will close that gap. We’ll learn from each other, and that’s how the sport evolves.”

Beyond medals and podiums, she emphasized the cultural value of the league. “People might recognize us from the Asian Games or a TV clip, but they don’t really see what shooting is about. The league will change that—it’s fast, it’s dramatic, and it will show that shooting is not just an Olympic event—it’s also a thrilling sport to watch.”

With the SLI set to debut in November, Sift concluded with a sense of eager anticipation: “We’re all wondering—who will be in which team, who will be our rivals, what will the format look like? This is something completely new for all of us. But one thing’s clear: the time is perfect for a shooting revolution, and I’m excited to be part of it.”

With inputs from IANS