DUBAI, 4th March 2017: Training for the Fazza Championship for Shooting – Saktoun Rifle will kick-off Sunday 5th March for the tournament which is open to locals, residents and GCC ahead of the competition which will be held from Wednesday 8th March till Saturday 11th March at the Dubai Police shooting field in Ruwayyah area in Dubai.
The largest Al Saktoun shooting tournament of its kind in the UAE, organized and supervised by the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre (HHC) for the revival of heritage sports, every year it has attracted a large number of participants competing for the top spot. A record number of entries is expected this time as well, as participants attempt to pit their skills using a traditional weapon Al Saktoun.
The organizing committee has drawn up a training schedule in order to allow the participants to register and get familiar with the shooting range before the start of official competition to prepare them to achieve their best levels. The participants are considered to be the most skilled and best shooters. They have accumulated experience by participating in this tournament in particular, but the training schedule is a preparation before official competition.
Ms. Suad Ibrahim Darwish, Director of Championships at HHC, speaking on preparations for the tournament, said in order to maintain the high level of competition where five world records were set last year, they have allocated training at the Dubai Police shooting field with all facilities including providing ammunition to the participants.
Suad confirmed that this season the shooting championship dedicated for locals will be par to the main open Fazza Championship for Shooting – Saktoun, in terms of organization, categories and prizes.
Brigadier General Mohammed Obaid Al Muhairi, Head of the Organizing Committee of the tournament, said they expect a large number of participants in the local category of the championship and a higher number of entries in general for the championship which has grown in popularity.
He said: “Everyone knows how important shooting is in our heritage. It is a sport that brings out the sharp skills of participants who are increasing in number which is why we endeavor to provide the best arrangements for the contestants so that they compete,” he said.
“The number of entries exceeds more than 1,000 every year and sometimes it is more than 1,500. We are ready to accommodate the increase in numbers by dividing the competition into different categories by classifying the shooters during qualification before the final round,” he explained.
Al Saktoun Rifle
Al Saktoun Rife is a traditional weapon renowned for its accuracy and used in the past by tribesmen for fishing, hunting and for protection.
The official sponsors of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Center are Al Tayer Motors, Land Rover, Dubai Airports, AW Rostamani (Arabian Automobiles), Global Village and Al Oula Radio.
