KUWAIT: Today’s competition in the 13th Asian Shooting Championship will see the distribution of several gold medals in the men’s 10 meters rifle, 25m rapid pistol for women and 50m prone rifle for women. There will also be official training for men’s and women’s skeet, 10 meter pistol for men and 50 meter prone for men. The 25m rapid pistol competition qualifies for Brazil 2016 Olympics.

Meanwhile, in his opening speech of the championship, President of the Arab and Kuwait Shooting Federations expressed hope that the 13th Asian Championship will see fruitful and beneficial results for all participants and meet its goals. Al-Otaibi said during the opening ceremony which was held at Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex that the organizing committee began preparation for this major event a long time ago as 1,200 shooters representing 33 countries and equipped with the best equipment available.

He said we were surprised last Friday with the decision by ISSF (International Shooting Sports Federation) to consider this championship not qualifying for the Brazil 2016 Olympics, though we did not receive any complaints all these four years. He rejected any influence on the championship proceedings or its legal status, adding that “we will defend the rights of all winners to get their quota places.

Outstanding

Al-Otaibi expressed his pleasure towards the friendly spirit of all participants and their wish to continue. Al-Otaibi expressed his appreciation and gratitude to HH the Amir, HH the Crown Prince and HH the Premier for their care and support of the sport of shooting. He also lauded the role of information minister, state minister for youth affairs, president of Asian Shooting Federation Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and Director General of the sports authority Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-Sabah and his deputies for their support of the championship.

Meanwhile, ASC Secretary General Li Fing said the championship is important as it has qualifying quotas for Brazil 2016 Olympics. Fing thanked Kuwait’s political leadership and government and Kuwaiti people for hosting this major Asian gathering. Oman’s head of delegation Hamad Al- Jahwari said the opening ceremony was outstanding and reflected the success of Kuwait in hosting regional and international events. He said the ISSF decision not to consider the quota places in this tournament is not right, and was made in a very inopportune time, just two days before the start of the championship. He said Asia’s national federations may object against the ISSF decision immediately after the championship due to expenses incurred by Asian countries to prepare their teams for the event.

By Abdellatif Sharaa