KUWAIT: Kuwait Shooting Club (KSC) is focused on preparing the largest number possible of Kuwaiti shooters for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, chairman Duaij Al-Otaibi said on Wednesday. At an award ceremony for Mansour Al-Rashidi, who qualified for the global games, topped the skeet rankings in Asia and achieved second in world standings, Al-Otaibi said the club has outlined an extensive training plan ahead of the tournament.
Al-Otaibi said "we as, board members of Kuwait Shooting Federation welcome guests and thank you for our presence, as you continue your support to make those achievements". He said Kuwait shooting continued its achievements, with the efforts of shooters and officials in the name of Kuwait in Asia and the world.
He said Kuwait shooting was able to secure the first qualification in Asia and the Arab world for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by shooter Abdelrahman Al-Faihan during the Asian games in Korea, then Mansour Al-Rashidi won the world championship and the second qualification for the upcoming Olympics that was held in Al-Ain, UAE then won third place in Korea last month.
He said all this comes from the support of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and the government, along with the Public Authority of Sport under the leadership of Dr Humoud Fulaiteh.
Al-Otaibi thanked former shooters who had represented Kuwait and made outstanding achievements, and hope their successors will continue on the same path.
He said that "we are pleased to honor shooter Mansour Al-Torqi, as he strongly deserve it, as he represents Kuwait shooting, and will always get our trust, as we have youth who are able to represent Kuwait who uphold Kuwait's reputation and keep Kuwait in a distinguished place in the shooting sport, adding that Mansour is now no. 1 in Asia and no. 2 in the world.
Kuwait is the only country in Asia to have thus far been able to qualify two shooters for the Olympics, the chairman said applauding the world skeet number two, who joins his compatriot Abdulrahman Al-Faihan. The accomplishments were made possible thanks to the support of the Kuwaiti leadership and government, said the chairman, who also reserved special praise for past Kuwaiti legends in the international arena.
Meanwhile, shooter Mansour Al-Rashidi thanked all those who support the Kuwaiti shooting, and appreciated the club's gesture to honor him.
The National Guard of which Mansour is a member granted him a special promotion to the rank of master sergeant for his achievement.
By Abdellatif Sharaa and KUNA