World Military Shooting Championship from Nov 12

The Losail Shooting Range will be the stage for world’s elite military shooters at the 49th CISM World Military Shooting Championship from November 12 to 20.
Chairman of the Military Sports Federation and chairman of the organising committee of the championship Major General Dahlan al-Ahmad, revealed that the nine-day championship will be contested in 12 categories - six for men and an equal number for women, with 720 shooters vying for the top honours. Shooters from over 50 countries will be taking part in the championship.
“We feel very happy and proud to host this prestigious event in Doha. This is another high-class competition in line with our Nation’s Vision for 2030 and once more we have set high standards in organising such an important sporting event, as we aim to continue building a lasting legacy as ideal organisers of major sporting activities at the global, continental or regional level,” al-Hamad told a press conference yesterday. The last edition of the championship took place in South Korea in November 2015, while Switzerland had the honour of hosting the top military shooters a year earlier.
In 2013, Qatar Armed Froces in collaboration with CSIM had hosted the Second CISM International Shotgun Championship.
Founded in 1948, CISM is a worldwide organisation with member countries spread across continents and it organises various sporting events for the armed forces for 133 member countries.
The ultimate goal of CISM is to contribute to world peace by uniting armed forces through sports and they operate under the motto of ‘Friendship Through Sport’.
Having delivered a perfect show in 2013, Qatar is keen to host the best world championship this year too and have formed various committees for hosting the championship. Around 17 committees have been formed under the main organising committee for the smooth conduct of the event, informed officials. The organising committee is getting ready and the technical facilities at the Losail Shooting Range are in perfect condition, in cooperation with Qatar Shooting and Archery Association. Qatar will have the largest delegation taking part. The host contingent will consist of 29 shooters and ten officials, the same as China. The team, as part of the training programme for the championship, have taken part in various camps outside Qatar and in international championships.
“The team had a training camp in Switzerland last month. The camp ended with Qatari shooters taking part in the European international military championship and gave a good account of themselves, winning two medals. Currently the team is training in Qatar,” Dahlan informed.
“With a big number of former world champions and Olympic champions in the field, the competition is expected to be very strong. Shooters will be aiming not to just hit still targets but moving and flying targets during the championship. So it will be difficult for the participants,” he added.
The opening ceremony will be held on November 13 at 3.30pm, while the closing ceremony will take place on November 19. Teams will be reaching Doha by November 10.
Meanwhile, organisers informed that an exhibition featuring international companies specialising in shooting products will be held on the sidelines of the championship.  The latest shooting ammunition in the form of pistols, guns and rifles will be on display and the companies will also provide technical support to the
participants.