Elavenil Valarivan, the celebrated Indian shooter and bronze medalist at the ISSF World Cup in Munich, has voiced her strong support and excitement for the inaugural Shooting League of India (SLI). Describing it as a "game-changing moment," Valarivan emphasized the league's potential to revolutionize the sport in the country. Her comments come as the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) recently unveiled the SLI logo, generating considerable buzz and anticipation among athletes and fans alike.
Valarivan, who recently set a new national qualification record with an impressive score of 635.9 points, believes the SLI will provide a highly competitive environment that will significantly benefit Indian shooters. She highlighted the league's unique format and the opportunities it will offer for athletes to test their skills against both domestic and international competitors. "The level of competition is going to be very high, and that would help us when we are unitedly competing against the other nations," she stated, underscoring the league's importance in preparing Indian athletes for major international events.
The inclusion of international athletes in the SLI is a particularly exciting aspect for Valarivan. She expressed her eagerness to learn from overseas participants and to exchange ideas and strategies. "The league's competitive environment will significantly push athletes, enhancing our unity and performance against other nations," she remarked, emphasizing the shared ideologies that can be gained from team interactions. Valarivan also believes the SLI will be an invaluable learning experience for younger and newer athletes, providing them with a platform to hone their skills and gain exposure to high-level competition.
Beyond the competitive benefits, Valarivan is optimistic about the SLI's potential to elevate the profile of shooting in India. She believes that by showcasing the sport's real setup, it will foster greater relatability and inspire more athletes to pursue shooting professionally. "The league will offer a tremendous boost to shooting recognition among the wider public," she stated, highlighting its potential to attract new fans and participants to the sport. With its broad scope and the inclusion of international athletes, Valarivan is confident that the SLI will have a significant impact on young aspirants keen to explore and learn about shooting.
The unveiling of the SLI logo at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi was attended by numerous prominent Indian shooters, including Paris Olympic medalists Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh. Sift Kaur Samra, the 50m rifle 3 positions world record holder, expressed gratitude to the NRAI for involving the athletes in the launch and emphasized the positive impact of the league on their morale ahead of the ISSF World Cup in Munich. The logo, designed by Sportwalk, features a vibrant mix of colors that encapsulate the competitive spirit of the sport and symbolize its rich heritage. Ashi Chouksey, a 2022 Asian Games medalist, praised the dynamic nature of the logo and its representation of the strength of the Indian sporting community. The collective enthusiasm and support from athletes like Elavenil Valarivan and others highlight the transformative potential of the Shooting League of India and its promise to usher in a new era for the sport in the country.
