Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, felicitated India’s ISSF World Cup 2026 gold medallists Esha Singh and Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda, acknowledging their outstanding performances on the international stage.
Neeru Dhanda created history at the ISSF World Cup in Lonato, Italy, by becoming the first Indian woman trap shooter to win a World Cup gold medal. Esha Singh continued her impressive run by securing the women’s 25m pistol gold at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, marking her second World Cup gold in the event this year.
During the interaction, Dr. Mandaviya congratulated the athletes and assured them of continued government support in their pursuit of excellence. He highlighted that shooting remains a priority sport for India and emphasized the focus on achieving strong results at upcoming global events, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
The Minister said the achievements of Esha and Neeru demonstrate the impact of India’s sustained efforts towards athlete development through programmes such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), National Centres of Excellence, Khelo India and scientific training support.
Esha Singh, an Arjuna Awardee and member of the TOPS Core Group, and Neeru Dhanda, part of the TOPS Development Group, have also been associated with the Khelo India Athlete programme. Both shooters are preparing for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games.
Neeru Dhanda, 26, from Haryana’s Jind district, achieved another milestone by setting a national record in qualification with a score of 121 out of 125 before defeating former World Champion Carole Cormenier of France in the final. A Naib Subedar in the Corps of Military Police, Neeru trains at the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow. Her World Cup victory follows her gold medal-winning performance at the 2025 Asian Shooting Championships.
Esha Singh, 21, a double silver medallist at the Asian Games, secured the 25m pistol gold medal in Hangzhou after overcoming strong competition. She had earlier created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a World Championship medal in the women’s 25m pistol event, besides winning multiple ISSF World Cup titles.
The achievements of both shooters underline India’s growing strength in international shooting and the success of structured support systems for elite athletes.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
