Qatar Shooting and Archery Association (QSAA) President Ali Mohammed Al Kuwari Antonella, Competition Director and other officials pose for a photograph during a 2018 Qatar Open Shotgun Championship press conference at Losail Shooting Range yesterday.
Doha: Sixteen Olympic medallists are among the 250 shooters who will be competing for the podium finishes at the 2018 Qatar Open Shotgun Championship which begins from today at the Losail Shooting Range.
“Participation is very big in terms of nations. Over 250 shooters from 38 countries will be competing in the event,” said Antonella, Competition Director, while addressing a press conference here yesterday in the presence of Qatar Shooting and Archery Association (QSAA) President Ali Mohammed Al Kuwari.
“The championship will be held in the Men’s, Men’s Juniors, Women and Women’s Junior section,” Antonella added.
Shooters will compete in Trap, Double Trap and Skeet categories at the event which serves as an ideal preparation for some of the top ranked players for the new season.
The competition will feature both men and women shooters.
There will be a separate category for the juniors and will serve as an ideal platform for the age group players to rub shoulders with some of the established stars.
The event will kick off with Trap event, followed by Double Trap and the championship will culminate with the Skeet category.
QSAA President said it a great opportunity for the local talent to watch the Olympic stars in action.
“People go to shooting ranges and buy money to watch the Olympic shooters. During the championship our youngsters will get a chance to watch the top shooters,” Al Kuwari said.
The QSAA official said that quality of shooters and not quantity is what matters.
“A large number of shooters training under QSAA coaches and with different clubs will be taking. As this is a not a country competition, so any number of shooters can take part,” he said.
This year, like in the past, the event has been able to attract some of the top shooters, who are preparing for the new season.
“Every year we schedule the the championship during this period (February) because it is the first event of the international calendar. After this event most of the shooters will fly to Mexico to participate in the Shotgun World Cup,” Antonella said.
“So, this is always a good way to start the season. Thanks to the weather and of course the facilities and every year we try to improve (the facilities) and it seems the shooters are in appreciating that,” she said.
“This year we have 16 Olympic medalists, which will make the event interesting and more competitive,” she added.
Some of the Olympic medalists who will compete at the event include Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al Attiyah, bronze medal winner at the London Games.
The event will serve as an opportunity for the local shooters to brush shoulders with the Olympians.
“The level of competition is very high and it is a good opportunity for the Qatari shooters to have the possibility to compete in a friendly competition. This event has been always regarded as a friendly competition. High level, but held in a nice environment,” she added.
A total of $133,000 will give away as prize money in the event.
“The prizes are attractive. We are giving away $133,000 as money,” she added.
The winners in Trap, Skeet and Double Trap will each get $7000, in both men and women’s section while $6000, $5000, $3000, $2000 and $1000 will be given to shooters who finish from second to sixth place.
Cash prizes will also be given in the junior category, for both boys and girls.
The event ends on February 22.
