The prospect of a return to Doha for the next ISSF World Cup Final – already under discussion between ISSF President Luciano Rossi and the Qatari authorities – has been warmly embraced by two leading members of the sport.
Reflecting upon the World Cup Final that has just concluded at the world-class Lusail Sports Arena, Denmark’s John Hansen, who became an ISSF vice-president at last year’s election, and fellow Executive Committee member Melis Giraud of Turkey both praised the facilities and the experience.
“It’s the first time I’ve been in Doha but I have never imagined anything like this,” Hansen told ISSF TV. “It’s the biggest shooting range I’ve ever seen.
“If you see there at the range there are a lot of places for recruitment. I come from Denmark – I can’t believe it.
“And I think the hospitality in this country is unbelievable. You feel like a king.”
Giraud added: “It has been an excellent experience for us and I am sure also excellent for the athletes, because all the range, whether it is shotgun or air rifle, it is excellent, everything is impeccable.
“And I can see people are very happy, the people are very welcoming, and also the city itself is out of this world really.
“I cannot think of anything better. I am so happy that we have decided to have the Final here.”
Asked about President Rossi’s strong hint regarding a return to Qatar after the Paris 2024 Games for the next edition of the event, Giraud added:
“Let’s cross our fingers. I think it would be excellent here again, it would be wonderful.
“I think this is a great experience for the athletes and all we want to do is improve everything for the shooting world and I think this has been so far excellent.”
The five days of competition in the Qatari capital featured historic floodlit finals in the trap events and a stupendous shoot-off in the men’s skeet, where Denmark’s Emil Petersen beat Azmy Mehelba of Egypt 26-25.
In another historic twist, Mehelba’s brother Abdel Aziz won the men’s trap title later on the same day.
Find all the Doha 2023 World Cup coverage at ISSF – International Shooting Sport Federation – YouTubeFuente: http://www.issf-sports.org
