By Abdellatif Sharaa

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir 9th International Shooting Grand Prix was officially opened on Tuesday night at Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex. The higher organizing committee, headed by President of Arab and Kuwait Shooting Federations Duaij Al-Otaibi held a ceremony attended by Jahra Governor Nasser Al-Hajraf, who represented HH the Amir, President of Kuwait Olympic Committee Sheikh Fahad Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, President of Asian Shooting Confederation Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, Honorary President of ASC Sheikh Ali bin Abdallah Al-Khalifa, Director General of Public Authority for Sports Dr Humoud Fulaiteh along with several ambassadors of countries participating in the tournament, heads of delegations and invitees.

Governor Nasser Al-Hajraf said "he was honored to represent His Highness the Amir in this tournament which enjoyed a large participation by friendly and brotherly teams." He said the participation of nearly 400 shooters from the prominent world teams reflects the major status the Grand Prix enjoys as well as Kuwait shooting. He also lauded the organization of the tournament.

Meanwhile, President of Asian Shooting Confederation Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah said HH the Amir's patronization of the tournament comes as a confirmation of his continued support of Kuwait sport, adding that this Grand Prix is considered the most important international event on the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) agenda.

Sheikh Salman thanked the Kuwait Olympic Committee, and Public Authority for Sports for their support of the tournament and the Kuwait shooting sport.

President of Arab and Kuwait Shooting Federations Eng Duaij Khalaf Al-Otaibi thanked HH the Amir for designating an annual international Grand Prix in his name in which the best world shooters participate.

He said the contributions of HH the Amir to the sport of shooting are many, as he gave it a unique complex carrying his name that is now holding many major events and most important training courses. He said Kuwait enjoys continued developments and advancements as it keeps winning many major tournaments at all levels.

The opening ceremony was postponed from Saturday because of the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sultan of Oman, as actual competition began two days ago. On the other hand Serbia now tops the medals table of HH the Amir Shooting Grand Prix as it added one gold medal, meanwhile Greece one gold medal on the fifth day of the competition:

Country Gold Silver Bronze

Serbia 2 1 1

Italy 1 2 1

Kuwait 1 1 1

UAE 1 0 1

Czech 1 0 0

Kazakhstan 0 1 2

Bulgaria 0 1 0

Pakistan 0 1 0

Armenia 0 0 1

Lithuania 0 0 1