Stage set for Kenya Open Level-3 Shotgun Championship

Shooters from 15 countries are among those entered for this year’s Kenya Open Level-3 Shotgun slated for Shaba Range in Samburu this weekend.

Among the countries listed for the event include China, Egypt, Ghana, Spain, Italy, Zambia, and Senegal.

Chinese Pang Jun was the first foreigner to arrive for the event which is the biggest shooting extravaganza in the country.

Jun arrived in the country today and proceeded to Nairobi’s Kenya Regiment Rifle Club (KRRC) for practice sessions well in time for the actual competition on Saturday and Sunday.

The Championship has attracted over 100 entries and will be based on the rules and regulations of the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) whose top officials will be represented at the weekend.

The program will kick off with a Pre-Shoot on Thursday through to Friday where the Range Officers and Match Officials will feel the conditions of the range to ensure that it’s in good nick well in time.

Kenya Shooting Sports Federation (KSSF) Board Member Memba Muriuki announced that the Championship will feature five categories namely Production, Standard, Pistol Caliber Cabin (PCC), Revolution and Open.

“During the event, the men and the ladies will be shooting together with an almost 50-50 representation of both. The Pre-Shoot will be used by organizers to ensure that everything on the range is working properly. Then, the competition proper will take place on Saturday and Sunday,” Memba added.

Memba also noted that the weekend championship will be used as a yardstick to prepare Kenyans and the rest of the countries for the World Championships slated for Thailand later in the year.

“Our short-term goal is to have a successful event on level 3. Long Term, will be to develop the sport and aspire to become a leading country in the sport globally in shooting,” added Memba.

Memba also announced that Kenya will be bidding to host the World Championship and that this year’s Kenya Open “would be serve as a stepping stone towards the big dream”.

The IPSC President Vitaly Kryuchin will be arriving in the country at the weekend to assess Kenya’s preparedness for hosting international events.

“The one thing we should be proud of is the fact that the IPSC will be in Samburu to witness the Championship proceedings and advise on the few things we need to do to qualify for the event.” Member said.

Kenya will field the biggest chunk of players including Ibrahim Ndungu of the Bamburi Rifle Club, Robert Nyamong of KRRC, Sammy Onyango and Memba - who is also the chairman of the KRRC.

In the ladies’ mix is Belidah Okoth among others. Ladies will participate with men but will be recognized during prize giving besides their general performance.