Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has been elected as the new president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI). Deo, a former Member of Parliament from Odisha, secured the position by defeating VK Dhall in the polls held at the Constitution Club of India on Saturday. He won with a comfortable margin, receiving 36 votes compared to Dhall’s 21.
Deo’s election marks a significant moment for the NRAI. He has been actively involved in the organization’s administration since last year, taking on the role of caretaker president after the resignation of Raninder Singh. Singh’s departure was a result of the government’s National Sports Code (NSC) which imposes a 12-year term limit for heads of national sports federations. Singh had completed his 12-year term in December 2022.
Under Deo’s leadership, the NRAI witnessed a positive turn in India’s shooting performance at the Paris Olympics, where the nation secured three bronze medals, breaking the streak of failing to win a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Games. Deo’s tenure as president will continue until 2025, when the next NRAI general body meeting is scheduled.
This election signifies a new chapter for the NRAI, and the organization will be looking to build on the successes achieved under Deo’s leadership as caretaker president. As India’s premier shooting organization, the NRAI plays a crucial role in developing and nurturing talent in the sport, and the new president will be responsible for guiding the organization’s future direction.
