New Delhi, 30 July (H.S.): Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday felicitated Indian shooters Isha Singh and Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda, who won gold medals at the ISSF World Cup-2026. On the occasion, the minister assured both athletes of all possible government support for their preparations for upcoming international tournaments.
Dr. Mandaviya said that the government is fully committed to providing world-class facilities to athletes and ensuring that they do not face any shortage of resources while competing at the highest level. “The government is making every possible effort to ensure that you do not face any difficulties in preparing for and performing at any competition. Shooting is one of the most important sports for us, and we have high expectations of winning medals in this discipline at major upcoming events, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2030 Commonwealth Games. We want you to win medals for India at the Los Angeles Olympics as well,” he said.
The minister stated that the achievements of Indian shooters are the result of long-term investments made through initiatives such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), National Centres of Excellence, Khelo India and scientific training programmes aimed at athlete development. Isha Singh is part of the TOPS Core Group, while Neeru Dhanda is associated with the TOPS Development Group. Both athletes have also been Khelo India athletes and are currently preparing for the 2026 Asian Games.
Twenty-six-year-old Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda, a native of Jind in Haryana, created history at the ISSF World Cup held in Lonato, Italy, by becoming the first Indian woman shooter to win a World Cup gold medal in the trap event. She scored 121 out of 125 points in the qualification round, setting a new national record, and defeated former French world champion Carole Cormenier in the final to clinch the gold medal. Neeru, who serves with the Corps of Military Police of the Indian Army, trains at the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow. Earlier, she had also won a gold medal at the 2025 Asian Shooting Championship.
At the ISSF World Cup held in Hangzhou, China, 21-year-old Isha Singh won the gold medal in the women’s 25-metre pistol event, securing her second World Cup gold in the discipline this year. The two-time Asian Games silver medallist defeated the challenge posed by the host nation’s shooters in the final. Last year, she became the first Indian woman shooter to win a World Championship medal after securing bronze in the women’s 25-metre pistol event at the Doha World Championship. She also won the 25-metre pistol gold medal at the Munich World Cup with a world record score of 43 points.
Appreciating the achievements of both shooters, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya expressed confidence that they would continue to bring laurels to the country at the upcoming Asian Games and the Los Angeles Olympics.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
