Shots on target at Chairman's Cup

NGAO-K Chairman Anthony Wahome during a practice session [Photo: Caroline Obuya]

My first ever attempt using a gun was at the Kirigiti Range and it was a dry fire.

One might ask, do we have a wet fire? No!  Dry firing is whereby you fire without ammunition.

I did quite well with a loaded firearm thanks to my first ever instructor Alamin Lubisia who taught how to place my finger on the trigger. He practically took me through the process and taught me how to pull a trigger.

Alamin was uniquely special to many of us. May his soul rest in peace.

The Chairman’s Cup shooting competition is coming up this weekend. It's like the ‘shooting champions league’ in Kenya. The competition which will feature 130 licensed firearm owners from all over the country drawn from the civilians and disciplined forces is scheduled for Saturday, 27 June. 

Speaking to the Standard, which is one of the sponsors of the event during a practice session at the Kirigiti Range, the National Gun Owners Association (NGAO-K) Chairman Anthony Wahome affirmed that there will be approximately 8 courses of fire and 3 drills which will be spread across the long-range and the 360-degree ranges.

The courses of fire which are commonly referred to as COF’s are a well-kept secret by the competition captain and will only be unveiled on the D-Day.

“The chairman’s cup was inaugurated in 2017 when we were seeking funds to build this range.

In this competition, shooters start competing on some COF’s from a sitting position, we have others where you start by standing, then you go to a kneeling position, and then the prone position. The targets in IDPA vary ranging from anything between 3 meters to 50 meters “  says Antony.

“Shooting is a perishable skill, the more you practice the better you get and the more confident you will be in a situation requiring you to use a firearm as provided by the law”. He added Similar sentiments were echoed by NGAO-K vice chairman Sammy Onyango who said that the Chairman’s Cup is one of the biggest tournaments they hold in Kenya as an association, whereby the shooters get an opportunity to showcase their skills and better them through competing.

The situation in Kenya is such that the government issues licenses but it does not train, that is why NGAO thought it wise to come up with a facility whereby licensed firearm owners can gain proficiency.

“We emphasize on proficiency because if you’re not confident in the use of your firearm then you are a danger to yourself and to others around you,” Said Anthony Wahome.

All civilian licensed firearm owners are invited to take part in this proficiency competition whose registration ends on Wednesday, 24 June.