PADMA Shri awardee and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2010) recipient Gagan Narang said that effective training and exposure among aspiring players have minimised the chances of doping in the current scenario. He was addressing a press conference at Stemfield Shooting Academy on Wednesday. Narang noted that WADA and NADA issue updated prohibited substance lists every year across sports disciplines, while the Government of India is running last-mile training programmes so that athletes in remote villages understand anti-doping rules and compliance. Appreciating Indian shooters’ performance at the ongoing Asian Games, he described the event as an essential midpoint test between fouryear Olympic cycles.

 

The Target Asian Games Group under TOPS, he said, ensured dedicated preparation and delivered medals in disciplines where podium finishes were previously unexpected. Highlighting the change in athlete support, Narang said, “Access to sport, particularly shooting, has been transformed through Government initiatives like Khelo India. Emerging athletes who win school-level medals can now receive up to Rs 8 lakh annually, covering world-class training, diet and living expenses.” Responding to a query on digital literacy and cultural shift, he said India is emerging as a mobile-first nation, and deep digital connectivity has removed information barriers for village-level talent. Public perception has also evolved, from confusing target shooting with film sets to celebrating international medal tallies. Narang added that sustaining momentum requires continued collaboration among institutions, including grassroots schools like Stemfield that promote shooting, as well as athletes, families and media partners.