World Shooting Championship opens spectacularly in Qatar

A scene from the opening ceremony.

DOHA, Nov 3: The World Shooting Championship, a qualifying event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, opened in Doha, bringing together around 1,100 male and female shooters from 91 countries, including some of the world's leading champions and Olympic medalists.

President of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association and Vice-President of the Asian Shooting Confederation, Dr Mishal Al-Nasr, welcomed the participants at the opening ceremony, saying: “You are the heart of this event and the creators of its memorable moments. You have come to Doha to write a new chapter in your sporting careers. We welcome you to the Lusail Shooting Complex.”

International Shooting Sport Federation President Luciano Rossi expressed his delight at Qatar hosting the championship, commending the country's sports leadership and organizing committees for their considerable efforts in preparing for the global event.

The opening ceremony was attended by the presidents of the Kuwait and Arab Shooting Federations, Duaij Al-Otaibi, and featured several performances, including a parade of participating nations and a cultural show highlighting Qatari heritage. A promotional video showcasing the championship and its competitors was also screened before the ceremony concluded with a traditional Qatari Ardah performance.

The competition is being held at the Lusail Shooting Complex, with approximately 1,100 shooters from 92 countries vying for 36 quota places at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The qualification spots are distributed across 12 individual Olympic events, with three places available in each, making the championship one of the major opportunities for shooters to secure their Olympic berths.