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Kenya shooting team captain promises to deliver on world stage

We are represented by top cream shooters in all the three categories namely: high level master shooters, expert shooters and sharp shooters who have mastered the art and are in better shape to do better-Onyango.

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by GORDON OSEN

Sports10 November 2022 - 02:00
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In Summary


  • • This is the first time Kenya is taking a team to the global show since the inception of the IPSC shooting discipline in Kenya about four years ago.
  • • Onyango, who started shooting in 2015, said he expects Kenya to compete in a European championship
National shootiing team to World Championships in Thailand

The Kenya shooting team is counting on their experience as well as training to rule the  World Shooting Championship from November 16 to December 4 in Pattaya, Thailand.

Kenya named the final 14-member squad for the delayed global event organized by International Practical Shooting Confederation. 

 The competition was earlier scheduled to take place last year but was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Captain Sammy Onyango said he believes the nation has what it takes to deliver better results even though the task ahead is not going to be easy. 

"We are represented by top cream shooters in all three categories namely: high-level master shooters, expert shooters and sharpshooters. 

"We want to put our country on the global map and make our presence to be felt as we seek to join South Africa as a top shooting nation in Africa." 

This is the first time Kenya is taking a team to the global show since the inception of the IPSC shooting discipline in Kenya about four years ago.

"We have been able to shoot in the USA, Hungary among others so there's no stage fright and the shooters have developed a bulletproof mentality. Training has been good and the monthly competitions have helped us improve on our weaknesses."

Kenya was set to be represented by a team of two shooters but the National Olympic Committee of Kenya and its regional director lobbied for more slots according to Onyango.

"We really want to thank NOCK for coming in handy and negotiating for more slots. This exposure will be vital for the team and will bolster their international experience." 

Onyango, however, called for financial support from the government to help grow the sport that is fast becoming a household name.

"We were supposed to be represented by four officers from the police service (two from each gender)  but lack of funds makes that a lost opportunity. We are all funding ourselves-from registration to air ticketing."

Onyango, who started shooting in 2015, said he expects Kenya to compete in a European championship. "After the World Cup, we have more assignments in South Africa, USA and Europe as well. This is just the beginning of better things to come."

He also hinted at Kenya hosting a level 4 competition after IPSC world governing body granted Kenya the privilege to host a Level 3 event featuring international participants earlier this year.

 

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