"Shooting League of India is more than just a competition, it is step forward": Olympic medallist Sarabjot Singh

New Delhi [India], June 2 (ANI): As excitement mounts for the inaugural season of the Shooting League of India (SLI), star athlete Sarabjot Singh is ready to step onto a new kind of stage, one that brings together elite global talent, electric atmospheres, and a fresh league format never before seen in Indian shooting.

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Sarabjot is one of India's most accomplished young shooters, with gold medals at the World Championships, Asian Games, and ISSF World Cup, along with a bronze in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the Paris Olympics 2024.

"The idea of being part of the very first edition of something this big is truly special," says Sarabjot, as quoted from a press release by SLI.

Sarabjot is preparing to compete in the upcoming ISSF World Cup in Munich, where he will compete in the 10m Air Pistol event--the same event in which he clinched a gold medal last year.

Scheduled to take place in a window from 20th November to 2nd December 2025, the SLI will feature mixed team events across Pistol (10M, 25M), Rifle (10M, 50M 3P), and Shotgun (Trap & Skeet). Franchise teams will participate, divided into two pools in the league stage, followed by knockouts. Players will be drafted into four competitive tiers -- Elite Champions, World Elite, National Champions, and Junior & Youth Championships -- ensuring a balanced blend of experience and emerging talent.

For Sarabjot, the format opens the door not only to high-level competition but also to valuable cross-cultural exchange and said, "It is a fantastic opportunity to learn -- to see how top shooters from other countries prepare and perform. I am excited to share experiences, connect with athletes from different cultures, and grow both as a shooter and a person."

The league's vibrant and fast-paced format is also expected to make shooting more accessible and engaging for audiences and said, "A platform like this will spark more interest among young people and bring shooting the recognition it truly deserves in India. I hope many new fans are drawn into the sport through this league."

Looking ahead to his own performance, he emphasises consistency and mindset and added, "Mentally, I plan to stay calm and focused, just like in any other match. I will keep reminding myself to enjoy the process. Technically, I will stick to my routines and adapt to the energy and pace of the league."

But beyond medals, what the 23-year-old values most is connection and progress and said, "I am looking forward to building new friendships, learning from every match, and making memories that stay with me. This league is more than just competition -- it is a step forward for all of us."

Sarabjot's message to the next generation of shooters is simple yet powerful: "Believe in yourself and never give up. Keep practising with discipline and passion." (ANI)

(The story has come from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Tribune Staff.)