Doha: The opening ceremony of the Asian Shotgun Championship 2026 was held at the Lusail Hall in the Qatar Olympic Committee headquarters, marking the commencement of an event that will run until January 21. The championship is taking place at the Lusail Shooting Complex and features 196 male and female shooters from 17 countries.

According to Qatar News Agency, the ceremony was graced by the presence of President of the Asian Shooting Confederation Sheikh Salman Al Hamoud Al-Sabah and President of Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation and Chairman of the Organizing Committee Dr. Mishaal Ibrahim Al Nasr. Federation officials and a number of guests also attended the event.

The ceremony included a variety of segments, beginning with a video on the Asian Shotgun Championship Doha 2026 and highlighting the achievements of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation. A traditional Qatari dance, Ardha, was performed, showcasing the rich Qatari heritage. The ceremony ended with the presentation of the list of participating countries.

Dr. Mishaal Ibrahim Al Nasr expressed pleasure at the record-breaking participation in the championship, featuring world and Olympic champions competing for podium finishes. He thanked the leadership for their support of sports federations, particularly the Shooting Federation, and welcomed the elite shooting champions to the Lusail International Shooting Range, emphasizing fair competition and excellence.

Sheikh Salman Al Hamoud Al-Sabah praised Qatar's significant support for sports, highlighting Doha as a pivotal center for shooting worldwide with its advanced infrastructure. He expressed confidence in the Qatari organizing committee's ability to deliver an exceptional championship, following past successes.

The championship includes competitions for skeet and trap shooting, with official practice sessions and qualifying rounds already underway. The Qatari national team, represented by 12 shooters, aims to continue their winning streak and secure medals.