KUWAIT: Under the patronage of Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, the inaugural West Asian Laser-Run Cup is set to commence on Thursday, May 1. The one-day event will take place at Sheikh Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium in Al-Nasr Sports Club, marking a significant milestone for the region’s modern pentathlon movement.
In a statement to KUNA, President of the Kuwait Modern Pentathlon Federation (KMPF) and Vice President of the West Asian Modern Pentathlon Confederation (WAMPC), Nasser Al-Waleed, emphasized the importance of the Laser-Run discipline—an event that combines running with precision laser shooting—as a key component of the modern pentathlon.
Al-Waleed revealed that the tournament will feature 66 male and female athletes representing seven member states of WAMPC. He highlighted that this championship is the first official competition organized by the confederation since its establishment in Kuwait last December. “This event reflects the confederation’s vision to advance the sport in West Asia and prepare athletes for international participation,” he said.
The closing ceremony will be held at the Movenpick Hotel in the Free Trade Zone and will be attended by members of the WAMPC Board of Directors, participating delegations, sponsors, and representatives of the KMPF. Al-Waleed expressed his gratitude to Minister Al-Mutairi for his sponsorship, and extended appreciation to the Director General of the Public Authority for Sport for his support in facilitating the tournament’s organization. He also thanked the President and members of the Kuwait Olympic Committee for their continuous backing of the national modern pentathlon team.
Laser-Run is the final discipline in the modern pentathlon series, which also includes fencing, swimming, and equestrian showjumping. In the Laser-Run, athletes alternate between running and laser shooting, completing multiple laps and hitting five electronic targets with precision to proceed through each stage of the course. Distances vary according to age categories. — KUNA