Guns blazing as Kenya preps for shooting championship

Shooters from 15 countries are expected to participate in 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 yesterday 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. 

Pre-shoot

The programme 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. 

Kenya Shooting Sports Federation (KSSF) Board Member Memba Muriuki announced that the Championship will feature five categories namely; production, standard, pistol calibre 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 said. 

Memba 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 goal is to have a successful event on Level 3 as we continue to develop the sport and aim to become a leading country in the sport globally,” he added.