Athletes and officials have flocked to Shymkent, Kazakhstan, for the start of the Asian Shooting Championship - showing some of the best on the continent across rifle, pistol and shotgun.
The Opening Ceremony for the Asian Championship took place at the Shymkent Shooting Range, with ISSF President Luciano Rossi attending alongside Asian Shooting Confederation (ASC) President H.E. Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah.
Several dignitaries were there including Kazakhstan Sports Shooting Federation (KSSF) President Berik Assylov, ASC Vice President Javaid S. Lodhi and Akim of Shymkent City, Gabit Syzdykbekov.
President Sheikh Salman expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, for his support for the event. This came after mutual recognition for each other in a gift-exchanging ceremony earlier in the visit. He also thanked Mr. Assylov and KSSF Secretary General Oleg Pochivalov for their successful hosting of the Asian Championship.
The ASC President also showed his appreciation for President Rossi for his "valuable contribution" to Asian nations and the development of shooting sport on the continent. He then awarded the Asian Shooting Diamond Pin to the ISSF President as a gesture of unity. In return, President Rossi honoured him with the President's Golden Medal of Honour.
More than 1,000 athletes are entered for the event, from 27 Member Federations.
The Asian Shooting Championship runs from August 16 to 30.
The Opening Ceremony for the Asian Championship took place at the Shymkent Shooting Range, with ISSF President Luciano Rossi attending alongside Asian Shooting Confederation (ASC) President H.E. Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah.
Several dignitaries were there including Kazakhstan Sports Shooting Federation (KSSF) President Berik Assylov, ASC Vice President Javaid S. Lodhi and Akim of Shymkent City, Gabit Syzdykbekov.
President Sheikh Salman expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, for his support for the event. This came after mutual recognition for each other in a gift-exchanging ceremony earlier in the visit. He also thanked Mr. Assylov and KSSF Secretary General Oleg Pochivalov for their successful hosting of the Asian Championship.
The ASC President also showed his appreciation for President Rossi for his "valuable contribution" to Asian nations and the development of shooting sport on the continent. He then awarded the Asian Shooting Diamond Pin to the ISSF President as a gesture of unity. In return, President Rossi honoured him with the President's Golden Medal of Honour.
More than 1,000 athletes are entered for the event, from 27 Member Federations.
The Asian Shooting Championship runs from August 16 to 30.