Archive · 20 Jul 2026
West Bengal Rifle Association seeks NCOE status for Asansol club
The West Bengal Rifle Association wants to upgrade the Asansol Rifle Club to a National Centre of Excellence (NCOE).
This would bring elite coaches and better facilities to the region.
The current sports minister supports the idea and will help push it forward.
The previous government had issues with working together on this, but now things are looking positive.
There are already several NCOEs in other parts of India, but none in the east.
This upgrade would be a big help for shooters in the area.
The West Bengal Rifle Association seeks to upgrade the Asansol Rifle Club to a National Centre of Excellence (NCOE).
The proposal was previously halted by the former state administration over disagreements on joint initiatives with the Central government.
Upgrading to an NCOE would bring elite coaches and better facilities to the region.
The current sports minister, Indranil Khan, has shown support and promised to advocate for the proposal.
There are currently no NCOEs for shooting in eastern India, making this upgrade significant for local shooters.
- Who
- West Bengal Rifle Association, Sports Minister Indranil Khan
- What
- Proposal to upgrade Asansol Rifle Club to a National Centre of Excellence (NCOE)
- When
- Recent (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Asansol, West Bengal, India
- Why
- To establish a premier sports shooting facility and provide benefits to Bengal’s shooters
Pro-Upgrade
Previous Administration
Joint Initiatives
Pro-Upgrade
The West Bengal Rifle Association supports joint initiatives with the Central government to upgrade the Asansol Rifle Club to a National Centre of Excellence (NCOE).
Previous Administration
The former state administration disagreed with joint initiatives, halting the previous proposal.
- Location
- Chandmari, Asansol town
- Current Status
- Proposal pending
- Benefits
- Recruitment and funding of elite coaches, improved facilities
- Current NCOEs
- New Delhi, Varanasi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Rohtak
- Minister's Response
- Promised to advocate strongly with SAI and the Union government