By Our Reporter
Shillong, July 8: In a significant push to elevate shooting sports in Meghalaya, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday between the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the Shooting Association of Meghalaya, and the Sports Department of the Government of Meghalaya.
The agreement was formalised in the presence of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and NRAI President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, paving the way for the development of state-of-the-art shooting infrastructure, structured coaching programmes, and long-term talent development—right from grassroots to elite levels in the sport of shooting.
Calling it a “transformative moment” for Meghalaya’s sporting ecosystem, Chief Minister Sangma welcomed the collaboration and expressed optimism about the future of shooting sports in the state.
NRAI chief Kalikesh Singh Deo lauded the Meghalaya government’s support and commitment, announcing that an Open India Championship will be hosted in the state every year as part of the partnership.
The month-long national-level tournament is expected to draw over 4,000 athletes and officials, creating a significant boost to the local economy and placing Meghalaya firmly on the national shooting calendar.
The MoU outlines a shared roadmap for building technical capacity in the sport, providing access to modern equipment, and hosting future competitions.
It also aims to strengthen Meghalaya’s standing in both national and international shooting circuits.
The signing event was attended by several key dignitaries, including NRAI Secretary General K. Sultan Singh, Director of Sports & Youth Affairs D.D. Shira, Shooting Association of Meghalaya President John F. Kharshiing, and other senior officials from the government and sports fraternity.