Al-Roudhan opens Amir 7th Int'l Shooting Grand Prix

Essam Albalushi

KUWAIT: Commerce and Industry Minister, State Minister for Youth Affairs Khalid Al-Roudhan opened HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Seventh Annual Shooting Grand Prix at Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex, as 350 shooters are representing 39 Arab and foreign countries.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Minister of Public Works, State minister for Municipal Affairs Eng Hussam Al-Roumi, Director General of Public Authority for Sports Dr Humoud Falaiten, Director General of Public Authority for Youth Abdelrahman Al-Mutairi, President of Asian Shooting Federation Sheikh Ali Al-Khalifa, Vice President of International Sports Federation Luciano Rossi, heads of delegations and shooting sport fans.

The ceremony included a display of participating countries flags, and a documentary about Kuwait Shooting Federation achievements and an operetta titled "Kuwait of Peace and Humanity", by Ministry of Education students.

Meanwhile the results of first day of competition saw Oman's Essam Albalushi win the gold medal with the score of 241.7 points, followed by Saudi Arabia's Misfer Al-Ammari with 240.4 and Bahrain's Mahmood Ali Haji third with a score of 219.6.

The finals of Trap for men and women will be played today, as well as the 10m air rifle for women.

Meanwhile Minister Al-Roudan told journalists following the opening ceremony that the Grand Prix has a special significant as it comes following the lifting of the suspension on Kuwait shooting. He said it also comes following the hosting of "Khaleeji 23" soccer tournament, and is considered a true return to hosting important sports events here in Kuwait.

Al-Roudhan lauded the efforts of the organizing committee of the Grand Prix, as well as Kuwait Shooting Federation for the outstanding organization of the opening ceremony.

President of Arab and Kuwait Shooting Federations Eng Duaij Al-Otaibi said in his opening speech said the contributions of HH the Amir to the sport of shooting are many as he gave all support and care for athletes and the building of the unique Olympic shooting complex.

Al-Otaibi thanked HH the Amir for patronizing the grand prix for the seventh consecutive year, and thanked Minister Khalid Al-Roudhan for attending the opening ceremony as representative of HH the Amir.

Omani Shooter Essam Al-Balushi said that winning first place was very difficult, as competition was very strong with highly talented shooters. He said the most difficult stage for him was the semi finals against Misfer Al-Ammari and Bahrain's Mahmoud Haji.

By Abdellatif Sharaa