Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah

KUWAIT: The 11th Asian Airgun and 8th Shotgun Championships began after an opening ceremony that was held on Saturday evening at Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex, with 35 countries represented by 600 shooters participating.

Championships patron, Honorary President of Asian and Kuwait Shooting Federations Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah welcomed Kuwait's guests from Asia. He said Kuwait shooting continues to make its achievements due to the support it receives from HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

He lauded the outstanding organization and the opening ceremony of the tournament which has most of general assembly members participating.

President of Asian Shooting Confederation Sheikh Ali bin Abdallah Al-Khalifa said holding the championships in Kuwait is something important and plays a role in the development of shooters in the continent, and he valued the efforts of the organizing committee led by the board members of KSSC.

Sheikh Abdallah said the Asian Shooting Federation appreciates the keenness of KSF to organize such championships and expected competitions to be at a high technical level as the most important shooters of Asia are participating.

Eng Duaij Al-Otaibi

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee Eng Duaij Al-Otaibi said the participation of more than 600 shooters and officials from 35 Asian countries will contribute to having the competitions come out at a distinguished level.

He said Kuwait shooters are making good achievements, the latest of which having Abdelrahman Al-Faihan qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The opening ceremony was attended by ISSF Vice-president the Italian Laciano Rossi, Acting Director General of Sports Authority Dr Saqer Al-Mulla in addition to participating delegations and guests.

By Abdellatif Sharaa