shootingKUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Fifth Annual International Shooting Grand Prix continues at Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex with men trap competition on 75 targets, while the final round will be at 1 pm. Meanwhile the pre event training for men and women skeet will start at nine in the morning.

The official opening ceremony took place on Wednesday night in a fabulous celebration, during which Information Minister, State Minister for Youth Affairs said the support and care from HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad to the International Grand Prix, contributed to boosting its status at the International level.

Sheikh Salman who represented HH in the opening ceremony which was named "Humanity has an Amir" said Kuwait's organization of this dear Grand Prix for the fifth time in Kuwait reflects the unlimited support Kuwait shooting enjoys from HH the Amir and this contributed to having shooters get Olympic and International medals.

He said the tournament enjoys the presence of an elite group of world shooters from 31 countries, which reflects its International importance and wished all participants success.

Sheikh Salman Al-Hmoud said he was honored to represent HH the Amir, adding that the ceremony carried expression of loyalty and love of Kuwait as well as its global peace and humanity mission.

He thanked the sports personalities that attended the ceremony, including the President of Asian Shooting Confederation Sheikh Ali bin Abdallah Al-Khalifa, Chairman of the Gulf Shooting Organization Committee Maj Gen Ahmad Al-Risi, and heads of delegations.

On his part Director General of Public Sports Authority Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour thanked HH the Amir for his patronage of the Grand Prix, and the continued support of the athletes in various sports.

He said the opening ceremony was great as fans interacted with it, adding that the International participation this Grand Prix enjoys reflects its importance and the shooter's keenness to come out winners.

President of Kuwait and Arab Shooting Federations Eng Duaij Al-Otaibi said during his speech said "It is with great pleasure, as Kuwait shooting celebrate the opening of HH the Amir Fifth International Shooting Grand Prix, that I this opportunity to thank HH the Amir who designated an annual International shooting tournament that brings brothers and friends together in a fair sports competition.

Al-Otaibi who chairs the Higher Organizing Committee said the feats of HH the Amir for the sport of shooting are many, including the construction of the Olympic ranges, which is unique of its type around the world, and became an attraction to others, enabled Kuwait to organize many tournaments at the International, regional, Arab and Gulf levels.

Al-Otaibi thanked Information Ministry, State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah for his continued support of the sport of shooting.

By Abdellatif Sharaa