Kenyan shooters team upbeat ahead of competition

**Ongoing** **International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) Africa Championships in South-Africa**

The Kenyan shooters team arrived in Johannesburg South-Africa on 8^th August ahead of The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) African Championships which are scheduled to take place from 9^th – 12 August.

The team comprising of the disciplined forces from the Kenya Police Service, Kenya Prisons, and Civilians checked into the OR Tambo airport and headed straight to the Ammo section which is manned by police 24/7 to have their luggage cleared.

The clearance took a while not just because of the paper work involved but also owing to the sensitivity of the apparatus involved, in this case guns which will be used in the shooting competition.

The team comprising of 26 shooters flying the Kenyan flag in the Championships embarked on a rigorous training exercise today at a private range within the Eastvaal District Council in Mpumalanga South-Africa.

**IDPA CHAMPIONSHIPS IN SOUTH-AFRICA Kenyan shooters team**

According to Muema a representative from Prisons and a first timer in the competition, he hopes to do well and make Kenya proud and also make his boss Commissioner General Osugo happy because of the support he has given them.

This year unlike the past, there are three ladies participating in the competition, inspector Elizabeth Anyango, sergent Joy Emily Nyanga and Corporal Joyce Arula all from the Kenya Prisons.

According to Anthony Wahome the Chairman of the National Gun Owners Association and head of the delegation, there’s great expectation and spirits are high among the team members, and there is no doubt this is going to be one of the best performances yet.

While most units were represented, for the first time ever, most units from the Police team failed to participate due to non-approval of their participation by the relevant authorities within the Kenya Police Service.

The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) was founded in 1996 and boasts of membership of more than 20,000 including members in 50 foreign countries.

The founders developed the sport to promote legal and responsible use of firearms.

The main goal of the competition is to test the skill and ability of the individual, not equipment or gamesmanship.