India’s junior shooting campaign for the year got underway as the first batch of 58 shooters and support staff departed for Cairo to compete in the ISSF Combined Junior World Cup, scheduled from April 19 to 27.

Organised under the aegis of the International Shooting Sport Federation, the Cairo event marks the opening leg of the global junior circuit. The season features three competitions for shotgun shooters and two for rifle and pistol disciplines.

India has named a strong 71-member shooting squad for the tournament, underlining its continued emphasis on nurturing young talent. Of these, 36 shooters will compete across the 15 Olympic events, while others will participate in non-Olympic categories.

The competition will feature 18 medal events in total, including traditional disciplines such as the junior men’s and women’s 50m rifle prone and the men’s 25m pistol, the latter widely seen as a potential inclusion in the 2032 Olympics programme.

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With 284 athletes from 25 nations set to compete, India will field the largest contingent in Cairo. Hosts Egypt have named a 29-member team, while Russia, competing under the Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) banner, has entered a sizeable 43-member squad. Other prominent shooting nations include France (24 athletes), Great Britain (16), and Italy (13).

The tournament is expected to offer a highly competitive platform for emerging shooters to test their skills against international opposition. For Indian athletes, the stakes are particularly high, as performances here will play a key role in selection for the upcoming Junior World Championships in Suhl in June.

Indian junior shooters have consistently impressed on the global stage in recent years, often finishing among the top nations in medal tallies. The Cairo World Cup presents another opportunity to build momentum early in the season and identify medal prospects for future senior-level competitions.

Coaches and officials accompanying the squad will also be closely monitoring performances to fine-tune preparations ahead of the busy international calendar. With a blend of experienced juniors and promising newcomers, India will be aiming to begin the ISSF junior season on a strong note in Cairo.