NAIROBI, Kenya, April 3 – It is all systems go as Kenya is set to host the 16th edition of the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) Africa Championships this week at Kirigiti Shooting Range in Kiambu.
Match director Sammy Onyango said they have been burning the midnight oil to ensure everything is in place ahead of the continental showpiece that will be held in Kenya for the second time since 2021.
“We have worked very well with the local organizing committee that was formed by the Ministry of Sports and they have provided us with proper guidance. We have been working on adding extra bays at the range and this is something that would have ordinarily cost us millions of shillings,” Onyango said.
Onyango further credited the Ministry as well as several other corporate sponsors who have come on board to make the championships a reality and to ensure that Kenya stages a world-class, memorable event.
“Everything has been on point. We have our different visitors arriving in the country as well as officials who will be overseeing the tournament. We have not had to go back to our members asking for more funds because the government has undertaken the same to ensure that everything runs smoothly,” he explained.
This is the second time the competition will be held outside South Africa following the first time it was held at the same venue – under a cloud of Covid-19 pandemic.
Onyango said things are much better this time round with hundreds of shooters from 13 countries worldwide, including Kenya, expected to compete in the week-long competition.
“So far, we have 12 countries who have confirmed participation. There were others that had expressed an interest but could not make it due to one or two challenges. However, we understand them and appreciate it even if it is only one country that decides to honour our invitation. It is a wonderful opportunity for us to get another chance to host the continental competition,” he said.
The competition begins Tuesday with a chief safety officers (CSOs) shooting session followed by another one for the safety officers (SOs) on Wednesday and Thursday.
Being a holiday, there will be no competition on Friday rather a range re-setup to prepare for the main competition on Saturday and Sunday.
