NRAI Renames India Open Competitions After Jaspal Rana and Raja Randhir Singh

The National Rifle Association of India has renamed its upcoming July India Open rifle, pistol, and shotgun tournaments. The national governing body took this step to honor the legacies of the recently deceased shooting icons Jaspal Rana and Raja Randhir Singh, aiming to motivate the country’s upcoming athletes.

The National Rifle Association of India has renamed the July India Open rifle, pistol and shotgun competitions in honour of late shooting legends Jaspal Rana and Raja Randhir Singh to preserve their legacy and inspire future athletes.

IMAGE: Jaspal Rana, a celebrated Indian shooting coach and former Asian Games gold medallist, died on June 12, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

The National Rifle Association of India has renamed its upcoming July India Open tournaments to honor the late shooting icons Jaspal Rana and Raja Randhir Singh.

The scheduled rifle and pistol tournament will now be designated as the Jaspal Rana Memorial India Open Competition, whereas the shotgun tournament will be called the Raja Randhir Singh Memorial India Open Competition.

Federation leaders stated that this commemorative decision is designed to secure the enduring legacy of both sporting icons while offering deep inspiration to emerging domestic competitors.

The National Rifle Association of India on Tuesday declared that the upcoming July iterations of the India Open Competitions will carry the names of legendary figures Jaspal Rana and Raja Randhir Singh, whose sudden passings deeply saddened the sports community.

Characterizing the deceased duo as two highly prominent figures within the narrative of domestic shooting and athletic leadership, the federation confirmed the rifle and pistol events will take the Jaspal Rana moniker, while the shotgun events will bear the Raja Randhir Singh title.

The governing body emphasized that this commemorative action highlights its dedication to honoring the impact of two remarkable sports figures whose efforts expanded Indian shooting and continue to guide contemporary competitors, mentors, and executives.

Rana and Randhir Singh Leave Lasting Legacy in Indian Shooting

The long-time sports executive and five-time Olympian Randhir passed away on May 27 at the age of 79 following a period of age-linked illnesses, while the prominent Rana passed away at 49 years old in a New Delhi medical center on June 12 from heart issues.

Kalikesh Singh Deo, the President of the National Rifle Association of India, remarked, “Jaspal Rana and Raja Randhir Singh are two towering figures whose contributions fundamentally shaped the growth and success of shooting in India.

“While Jaspal inspired generations through his achievements as a champion shooter, coach, and mentor, Raja Randhir Singh left an enduring impact both as an elite athlete and as one of the most respected sports administrators globally.”

The federation president added that assigning these titles to the July India Open Competitions serves as an appropriate commendation for their immense contributions and the perpetual motivation they offer to domestic sports.

Rana stands as an enduring pillar of national shooting sports, serving as a foundational competitor whose international triumphs sparked widespread domestic interest in the discipline. As a decorated multi-time medalist at both the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, he previously held the record as the most decorated Indian competitor at the Commonwealth Games with 15 total medals, including 9 golds.

His benchmark gold medal victory at the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games initiated a prominent global competitive run, anchoring his reputation as a premier international pistol competitor of his time.

In addition to his individual athletic achievements, Rana secured a major role as a specialized instructor, developing numerous top-tier national pistol competitors and pushing India toward its position as a global force in shooting.

Randhir commands equal veneration for his extensive accomplishments as both an active international competitor and an influential global sports diplomat.

IMAGE: Raja Randhir Singh is India’s first shooting gold-medallist at the Asian Games. Photograph: Kind Courtesy Team India/X

As a premier national shotgun competitor, he represented his country across five separate Olympic Games and secured a historic milestone by claimining India’s inaugural Asian Games gold medal in shooting during the 1978 Bangkok Games.

His athletic influence transitioned into sports politics, where he became a highly regarded administrative figure within the international Olympic framework, guiding various domestic and global sports councils, including his final leadership role as President of the Olympic Council of Asia.

Memorial Tournaments Aim to Inspire Future Champions

By branding the July India Open Competitions after Jaspal Rana and Raja Randhir Singh, the federation emphasizes its goal to celebrate two landmark figures whose true impact went well beyond physical medals and formal competitive records.

Pawankumar Singh, the Secretary General of the National Rifle Association of India, noted, “The India Open Competitions serve as a critical launchpad for our domestic circuit, bringing together elite athletes and the next generation of talent.

“By anchoring these tournaments to the names of Jaspal Rana and Raja Randhir Singh, we want our upcoming shooters to draw strength and inspiration from their journeys every time they step onto the firing line.

“This initiative bridges our glorious history with the future of Indian shooting, reinforcing the benchmark of excellence required to win at the highest international levels.”

The opening editions of these memorial tournaments will gather the finest established national competitors alongside the country’s rising shooting prospects.

Future Outlook

The institutionalized naming of these national competitions establishes a permanent memorial framework within the domestic shooting ecosystem. Moving forward into 2026 and beyond, the National Rifle Association of India plans to utilize these specific memorial platforms to benchmark performance metrics for selecting upcoming international squads. This strategy ensures that the standard of excellence established by Rana and Randhir remains integrated within the development pathway of future Olympic hopefuls.

FAQs

What are the new names for the July India Open tournaments?

The rifle and pistol tournaments have been renamed the Jaspal Rana Memorial India Open Competition, while the shotgun events have been named the Raja Randhir Singh Memorial India Open Competition.

When did Jaspal Rana and Raja Randhir Singh pass away?

Raja Randhir Singh passed away on May 27, 2026, at the age of 79 due to age-related illnesses. Jaspal Rana passed away on June 12, 2026, at the age of 49 due to cardiac complications.

What historic milestones did these two shooters achieve during their careers?

Jaspal Rana secured a historic gold medal at the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games and won 15 Commonwealth Games medals. Raja Randhir Singh secured India’s first-ever Asian Games gold medal in shooting at the 1978 Bangkok Games and competed in five Olympic Games.

Which sports organization announced these tournament name changes?

The name changes were officially announced by the National Rifle Association of India, which is the national governing body for shooting sports in the country.