Shooting range fit for global champions

Abu Dhabi: The Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club (AAESGC) boasts of its state-of-the art shooting range, according to Saif Al Shamsi, Director of the AAESGC Shooting Club.

Al Shamsi knows the quality of a shooting range when he sees one. He has won gold medals in local, Arab, Asian and international championships in the shotgun event and still plays for the UAE.

"Our shooting range is built by the same company that built the shooting range at the Beijing Olympic Games. The officials of the International Shooting Federation were convinced of our facilities when they came to inspect them before approving our hosting of the World Cup Finals in September.

"We organise monthly tournaments for men, women and juniors and we have unearthed a lot of players with good prospects which encouraged us to think of forming teams to compete in local competitions representing our club.

"We have an academy to teach the youngsters the game which will be opened soon as the local and expatriates kids have shown great interest in practising the sport."

Al Shamsi confirmed that the shooting club within the AAESGC is the only one in the country that meets all the conditions of the IOC [International Olympic Committee].

"We have outdoor clay targets in addition to indoor facilities that include: 30 targets for pistol, 40 targets for airgun, 40 targets for 50m, 40 targets for free pistol, 30 targets for rapid pistol, 30 targets for sport shooting and as many for women pistol.

"As shooting represents a rich part of the country's heritage, we have a great number of locals and there is an increase in the number of children taking up the sport, which makes us optimistic with the future of the sport in the UAE.

Olympic gold

"The UAE is the only Arab country to have an Olympic gold medal in shooting won by Shaikh Ahmad Mohammad Hasher Al Maktoum, in addition to the fact that our country have won the most number of medals in shooting than any other Arab country.

"These achievements have attracted a large number of youth to practice the sport."

Al Shamsi confirms that the members of the shooting club are 300 in addition to about 250 non-members who come to use the facilities.

Membership fees

• Family: (one year) Dh4,000, (6 months) 2,500, (3 months) 1,500
• Single: (one year) Dh2,000, (6 months) Dh1,500, (3months) 800
• Youth (14-17 years) (one year) Dh1,000, (6 months) 750, (3 months) 500.