Shooting League of India welcomes Uttar Pradesh franchise UP Prometheans ahead of inaugural season
New Delhi, December 18
The Shooting League of India (SLI) on Thursday announced the addition of UP Prometheans, a Uttar Pradesh-based franchise, for its inaugural season scheduled from February 16 to 26, 2026.
The new team strengthens the league's growing footprint and reinforces its vision of building a robust, inclusive ecosystem for the sport of shooting in India, SLI said in a release. The UP Prometheans franchise is owned by Mukesh Sharma, Founder Chairperson of Prometheus, an International School located in Noida. President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo said that they are delighted to welcome UP Prometheans to the Shooting League of India family.
"Uttar Pradesh has immense sporting potential, and the entry of a franchise driven by a strong educational and developmental philosophy adds great value to the league. Mr. Mukesh Sharma's commitment to creating opportunity through infrastructure and education aligns perfectly with the vision of SLI--to build a sustainable ecosystem that nurtures talent, inspires youth, and takes Indian shooting to the next level." The release said that Prometheus School offers shooting as a structured sport from Grade 5 (9 years and above) and Prometheus athletes are competing at the national level -- Siya Marwah, Vaivaswat Vijay Singh Deo, Siana Monga, Sidhaan Gandhi, Ayaana Chinaria, Aarish Goel, Ayaan Khan.
Sharma said shooting is one of India's strongest Olympic sports, and Uttar Pradesh has the talent and potential to play a far bigger role in this journey.
"Through the UP Prometheans, our intent is to create a structured, professional platform where athletes are supported with the right infrastructure, coaching, and competitive exposure. The Shooting League of India is an important step in strengthening the ecosystem, and I am pleased to be part of this inaugural season," he said. Conceptualised under the aegis of the NRAI, the Shooting League of India is India's first franchise-based professional shooting league, aimed at blending elite competition with fan engagement and long-term athlete development.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great to see private investment, especially from the education sector. Starting shooting in school from Grade 5 is a smart move. But I hope the league's "inclusive ecosystem" promise is real and reaches beyond elite private schools to government schools and rural academies.
Finally some focus on shooting besides just during the Olympics! A professional league can create stable careers for athletes. UP Prometheans is a strong name. Best of luck for the inaugural season!
Interesting model, blending education and sport. The list of young athletes from the school is impressive. Hope the league gets good TV coverage and fan engagement so it sustains beyond the first season.
Good step, but a word of caution. We've seen many franchise leagues start with big promises and then fade. NRAI and the franchise owners need to ensure this is a long-term project, not just a PR exercise. The focus must remain on athlete development and results.
As someone from Lucknow, I'm thrilled! Uttar Pradesh needs more sporting infrastructure and identity beyond cricket. Shooting is our strength. Hope this inspires thousands of kids in the state to pick up a rifle or pistol. Jai Hind!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.