Ronak Pandit, who won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in the men\u2019s 25m standard pistol (pairs), is presently competing at the 68th National Shooting Championship Competitions (NSCC) in Delhi with his co-owner Zahir Hawa.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Alongside fellow Indian shooter Faiyaz Virani, their combined roles as active athletes and franchise owners represent an extraordinary development in Indian professional sports. They believe this dual identity could be Mumbai X Calibers\u2019 greatest strength.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zahir Hawa, with over 25 years of experience in shooting, found investing in the league to be an almost instinctive decision. \u201cThe moment I heard about the league, I wanted to be a part of it. I love shooting and had to be involved with it,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is the best way to give back and stay connected with the sport, even at this stage of my life.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Meanwhile, Pandit sees ownership from a similar perspective, but with a clear long-term plan in place. \u201cThe league is not just about those two weeks of competition,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt is about making the sport more accessible and widening the talent pool so that it is the shooters who benefit in the long run.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Meanwhile, Mumbai X Calibers\u2019 vision extends beyond just building a competitive team. The owners want the franchise to embody the spirit of the city it stands for. \u201cA team has to mirror its city\u2019s personality,\u201d Zahir Hawa said. \u201cThat is how people relate to it. Mumbai has a certain spirit and ambition, and we want that to come through in how this franchise is built.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pandit reinforced that idea, noting that regional identity and connection matter as much as results. \u201cFans follow teams because they resonate with the city, the language, the colours and the values. We have kept Mumbai\u2019s culture and vibe at the centre of our identity.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Revealing the thought behind the name, he added, \u201cX Calibers was suggested by Zahir Hawa\u2019s daughter. Excalibur is the legendary sword, and calibers is a shooting term, referring to the calibre of ammunition. We liked how the two ideas came together, and that is how the name Mumbai X Calibers was born.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Being active competitors provides the Mumbai co-owners with an insider\u2019s perspective on the sport that few other franchises can rival. They experience pressure and the realities of top-level competition firsthand\u2014not just as spectators, but as active participants, giving them a competitive edge.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Revealing the thought behind the name, he added, \u201cX Calibers was suggested by Zahir Hawa\u2019s daughter. Excalibur is the legendary sword, and calibers is a shooting term, referring to the calibre of ammunition. We liked how the two ideas came together, and that is how the name Mumbai X Calibers was born.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ultimately, Mumbai X Calibers' main goal is development. Both owners emphasised that the league should broaden opportunities in a sport where traditional pathways have been limited. \u201cThis team is not just about winning matches or entertainment. It is about uplifting the sport, supporting athletes beyond the league, and helping create shooters who can realistically dream of representing India at major events in the future.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n