Delhi to host ISSF World Cup finals in October 2017

India's rapid strides in shooting got recognised after the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) on Thursday awarded the 2017 edition of the World Cup Finals to Delhi.

The ISSF executive committee, which met in Moscow on Wednesday, announced that the event comprising all the disciplines of rifle, pistol and shotgun will be held in October 2017. This is in addition to the ISSF World Cup series scheduled to be held in the capital in February next year.

Announcing the development, an elated National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) President Raninder Singh 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."

Singh was also awarded with the prestigious ISSF President Button at the same meeting for his contribution to the growth of the sport.

"We hope to put our best foot forward in organising 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," he added.

Touted as one of the growing powerhouses of the sport, India won two medals in shooting, a silver and a bronze, out of the six medals won overall.

The Indian shooting squad has also managed to secure an all-time high of 12 Olympic quota berths for the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games, scheduled to begin in August.

--IANS

tri/vt