NRAI National Coaches Course Will Boost Shooting in Eastern India: Pawan Kumar Singh
Better coaching will help Jharkhand shooters excel nationally and globally: Diwakar Singh
Jamshedpur: The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on Monday inaugurated a National Coaches Course for shooting at Hotel Alcor in Jamshedpur. The programme marks a significant milestone for the Jharkhand State Rifle Association (JSRA), as it is the first time since the formation of Jharkhand in 2000 that a national-level coaching course of such scale has been organised in the state.
A total of 33 coaches from different states, including West Bengal, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, are participating in the course. The training programme is being conducted by NRAI, comprising experienced instructors and technical experts in shooting sports.
The primary objective of the course is to strengthen the coaching system in shooting, equip trainers with advanced techniques, and prepare young shooters for national and international competitions.
Addressing a press conference at a hotel in Bistupur, NRAI General Secretary Pawan Kumar Singh said the initiative is an important step towards expanding the sport in the eastern region of the country. He noted that this National Coaches Course is being organised in Eastern India for the first time, bringing together instructors and coaches from several states of the region.
According to him, the programme will provide in-depth knowledge of modern coaching techniques, athlete development, and performance training. “Once the coaches complete the course, they will return to their respective states and districts and share their expertise with local athletes. This will help nurture young talent and raise the standard of shooting in their regions,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Jharkhand State Rifle Association (JSRA) President Diwakar Singh described the event as a major achievement for the state’s shooting community. He said hosting an NRAI coaching programme in Jharkhand after more than two decades is a matter of pride for the association and will help strengthen the sport in the state.
“This course will play a vital role in improving the quality of training available to our young shooters. With better guidance and structured coaching, athletes from Jharkhand will be able to perform more effectively at national and international competitions,” he said.
Singh also highlighted the rapid growth of shooting sports in the country. He pointed out that the 2025 National Shooting Championships witnessed participation from more than 19,500 athletes from across India, reflecting the sport’s rising popularity. He added that Jharkhand itself has seen a remarkable increase in interest among young shooters.
Currently, more than 1,150 athletes from Jharkhand are registered with the NRAI, indicating growing enthusiasm for the sport in the state. Singh said the newly trained coaches could help establish a wider training network in the future.
“With the support of trained coaches, we aim to develop nearly 350 new training centres across the state. This will create opportunities for young talent from different districts and help prepare them for higher levels of competition,” he added.
Another official associated with the programme, Anil Singh, said that the NRAI has already played a major role in developing coaching infrastructure across the country. According to him, the association has so far trained more than 900 coaches and over 500 athletes nationwide through various programmes and initiatives.
He said that such training courses are essential not only for improving performance but also for building a strong sports ecosystem in the country.
Meanwhile, NRAI Secretary General Pawan Kumar Singh also revealed that the association is planning to introduce an online learning system for coaches. The digital platform will help trained coaches further upgrade their knowledge and improve the quality of shooting instruction in schools and sports institutions.
