DOHA (Qatar): A host of former and defending champions will vie for top honours at the 2020 Amir Cup Shooting & Archery Championship at Lusail Shooting Complex from Thursday.
The event will be the first one after sporting actions came to a standstill in March due to Coronavirus pandemic.
Organized by the Qatar Shooting & Archery Association, the tournament will conclude on November 28.
Ace marksman Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, also a top-notch rally driver, will be one of the main attractions in skeet category. The 49-year-old has represented Qatar at six Olympic Games – with a best finish of bronze at the 2012 London Games.
Being a two-sport athlete is a challenging logistical exercise, but Nasser is committed to excelling in both disciplines.
“It is my dream to compete in a seventh Olympic Games. Qualification for the Olympics is almost over, so that IOC (International Olympic Committee) can get me in as a special case. This will be very difficult but I’m trying hard,” Nasser had said earlier.
The focus will also be on another skeet shooter Rashid Saleh Hamad, who is aiming to qualify for the Tokyo Games having represented Qatar twice earlier in 2008 and 2012.
“It will be nice to be back in competition after a long break. Looking forward to it,” said the 33-year old.
The championship will start with PET Trap event on Thursday and will see Trap, PET Skeet, PET Double Trap, PET 25m Rapid Fire Pistol competitions.
From November 13, the 10m Air Pistol and 10m Air Rifle, 10m Running Target, 50m Rifle Prone, 50m Rifle 3 Positions and 25m Centre Fire Pistol competition will be held.
The skeet and double trap events will be held on November 20 onwards. The skeet mixed team action will be on the concluding day November 28.
Meanwhile, the archery action, which is part of the champ[ionship, will be held on November 13 and 14.
Friday will see Recurve qualification and elimination events while Saturday will have Compound 2×50 qualification and elimination rounds.
