KUWAIT: Kuwait's skeet shooter Abdallah Al-Rashidi proved tough for other shooters in a hard fought match and won the first place gold medal during the second and final round of the skeet event being held during Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Fifth Annual Shooting Grand Prix, keeping Kuwait in first place with three gold medals, two silver and two bronze. Kazakhstan in second place with one gold, New Zealand in third with silver, and Egypt fourth with bronze.

Al-Rashidi's teammate Naif Al-Daihani won the silver medal while Czech Danie Herberger won bronze. Kuwait's Eman Al-Shamaa who won the bronze medal in the women's skeet earlier in the week expressed her happiness in winning bronze, adding "I succeeded in qualifying for the final round only to compete with heavy weight shooters, and despite that I was able to take third place." She said "competing in HH the Amir Grand Prix is an honor in itself, and winning one of the medals make shooters feel very happy, due to the strong competition."

Al-Shamaa dedicated her win to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Sabah, HH the Crown Prince, and Information Minister, State Minister, State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah.

Meanwhile, Algeria's head of delegation Rabeh Buzaid lauded the good organization and Kuwait hospitality during the tournament, which he considered of high standards.

Buzaid thanked HH the Amir for patronizing the Grand Prix which contributes to preparing shooters at both the Arab and international levels. He said Algeria is keen to attend the tournament every year. He said Algeria is participating with two shooters in preparation for upcoming events.

President of Tunis Shooting Union Sameer Shooshan expressed keenness on participating in HH the Amir Grand Prix in the presence of large participation by many international federations. Shooshan commended the atmosphere and organization of the tournament at Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex, adding this is not strange for Kuwait shooting officials and the tremendous facilities the complex has.

By Abdellatif Sharaa