KUWAIT CITY, Nov 14: The His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Shooting Championship is set to kick off on Thursday, with significant participation. Duaij Al-Otaibi, President of the Kuwaiti Shooting Club and head of the tournament’s organizing committee, announced in a press conference held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel that the event will see around 400 male and female shooters from Kuwait and Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Expressing honor in hosting this prestigious tournament, Al-Otaibi highlighted its significance as the launch of the club’s sports season (2023/2024). The competition, hosted at the Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Ranges Complex, will feature various Olympic shooting categories, including skeet and trap, pistol and rifle shooting, as well as compound and Olympic bow and arrow shooting, encompassing both men’s and women’s divisions.

Acknowledging the crucial support from His Highness the Crown Prince, Al-Otaibi noted the tournament’s elevation to one of the most important sporting events after the Emir’s Grand International Shooting Championship. He emphasized the consistent backing from the political leadership and the role of the Public Authority for Sports, ministries, and state institutions in supporting the tournament.
Al-Otaibi underscored the championship’s significance as a vital preparatory step for Kuwaiti shooters gearing up for upcoming international and continental tournaments, particularly those leading to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

He expressed hope in securing a substantial number of qualifying tickets for the Olympics, citing recent successes in the Asian Games and the qualification of shooters Khaled Al-Mudhaf and Mohammed Al-Daihani for the World Champions Shooting Championship in Qatar.

Obaid Al-Osaimi, the club’s secretary and tournament director, assured reporters that the organizing committee is fully prepared for the event, with the club’s fields in optimal condition. Kuwaiti arbitration teams will oversee the tournament, and Al-Osaimi called on fans to follow the competitions, which commence with trap and pistol events and run successively until the tournament’s conclusion on Saturday.

Additionally, Al-Osaimi mentioned a special rifle competition on the sidelines of the tournament, featuring male and female shooters from the Kuwaiti and Japanese federations, alongside the distinguished participation of shooters with disabilities affiliated with the Paralympic Committee from both countries.