Team Kenya flagged off to world shoot championship in Thailand

Fourteen athletes are set to represent Kenya at this year's International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) World Shoot championship set for 16 November to 4 December in Pattaya, Thailand. 

National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) president Paul Tergat flagged off the team that has athletes drawn from various shooting clubs across the country. 

They leave the country on 15 November ready to make their debut and pioneer the continent's participation by posting good results.  

The participants were competitively selected following a rigorous 2022 IPSC league competition that ran from January through to October under the auspices of the Kenya Sports Shooting Federation.

World Shoot championship is the pinnacle of the IPSC practical shooting discipline featuring over 3000 competitors and officials drawn from over 100 member countries, making it the largest practical shooting event in the world.  

This growth has earned the Practical Shooting discipline an Observer status at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with a view to its future adoption as an Olympic sport.

Speaking during the flag-handover, Tergat underscored the importance of discipline and focus as the team departs. 

“Carrying the flag and wearing the national colours will always be an honor to every sportsperson. The entire country will be cheering you on from home.With your head high and your chest out, participate knowing the world title and qualifying for the Olympics is at stake," Tergat said. 

The team is includes Ibrahim Ndungu, Robert Nyamongo, Thomas Kiilu, Sammy Onyango, Issa Issa, Jasmeer Syan, Memba Muriuki, Wilson Kabugi, Geoffrey Pesa, Alykhan Keshavjee, Ashish Sennik, Rizvan Abdul and Abdullahi Buthul and Frank Ambundo. 

Since inception of the IPSC shooting discipline in Kenya about four years ago, the membership has grown in leaps and bounds over the last two years with most shooting clubs in the country including members of the disciplined forces enthusiastically embracing the Sport.

During this period, competitors have also had the opportunity to gain exposure at various local and international competitions. 

In recognition of this progress, the IPSC World governing body granted Kenya the privilege to host a regional Level 3 event featuring international participants earlier in the year, and which was graced by the IPSC president himself.

Alongside the competition will be an Annual General Assembly which will see regional directors attend. 

Kenya will have its first ever representative as Alykhan Keshavjee, KSSF Secretary General attends. The meeting will also have internal courses which will be exclusively held including the level five course.