ISSF World Cup: 2019 Series Kicks-Off In New Delhi

There will be 500 shooters representing 60 countries in 10 Olympic rifle and pistol events at the first ISSF (International Shooting Sports Federation) World Cup of the 2019 season, which began Thursday, February 21, at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi, India.

This marks the third time an ISSF match has been held in New Delhi since 2017.

Competitive shooters will face off in 10 rifle and pistol events, and the ISSF says that there will be wide television coverage of the event. Approximately 78 countries spanning four continents can follow the competition live.

Some controversy has marred the event, however. Indian authorities denied entry visas to Pakistani athletes who were to compete at the New Delhi ISSF World Cup.

According to an ISSF press release dated Friday, February 22, the IOC (International Olympic Committee), following the principle of non-discrimination, made the difficult decision to revoke the Olympic qualification status of the Men's 25 Meter Rapid Fire Pistol event. (This is the event the Pakistani athletes were going to compete in.)

The IOC has stated that the ISSF has to make a proposal on how the two quotas in Rapid Fire Pistol will be redistributed.

The ISSF is the governing body for Olympic shooting events conducted throughout the world, with 160 affiliated national federations.

Learn more by visiting the ISSF website at ISSF-Sports.org.