The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) is set to hold its annual general meeting (AGM) between August and September to elect a new executive committee, and BJP MP and industrialist Naveen Jindal is planning to contest the election for the presidency. Jindal, who is also the Chairman of Jindal Steel and Power and the founding chancellor of OP Jindal Global University, has been a shooter himself and is passionate about the sport. He believes that India has the potential to become the number one team in the world and is willing to “pitch in” to make it better.
Jindal’s decision to contest the election has been backed by his friends, some of whom he has known for 30 years. He has already started reaching out to members of state associations, hosting a dinner meeting with over 18 units represented. His potential candidacy has been circulating within the shooting community for over a month, and he is likely to face off against the current NRAI chief, Kalikesh Singh Deo, for the top post.
Some have questioned whether Jindal will have the time to run the sport while managing his industrial empire, but he dismisses such doubts. He claims that he is capable of managing multiple responsibilities and is committed to establishing a system for the betterment of the sport. Jindal’s passion for shooting and his vision for India to become a leading team in the world have driven his decision to contest the election.
The election is expected to be a closely contested one, with Deo, the current president, seeking to retain his position. Deo became president last September after the previous president, Raninder Singh, was forced out by a government order. The outcome of the election will be crucial in determining the future direction of the sport in India, and Jindal’s candidacy has already generated significant interest and excitement within the shooting community.