Mombasa: The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) has launched a major shooting tournament in Mombasa, drawing participants from the African Intercontinental Championship alongside competitors from around the world.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Chairman of the National Gun Owners Association, Sammy Onyango, addressed the media in Mombasa, highlighting the significance of the event. He noted that this year’s championship is a landmark occasion featuring 14 stages with a minimum round count of 245, bringing together over 200 participants globally.
For the first time, the championship will be open to the public, with events starting from February 19th for safety officers and February 22nd for handgun and Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) shoots. Onyango emphasized that this provides a unique opportunity for spectators and media to witness world-class shooting sportsmanship.
Onyango pointed out the event’s international scope, stating, “Kenyans are lucky because the event does not only capture shooting of African countries but it is a tournament that is held with the title of Africa with invitees from all over the world.” He mentioned that the African championship features eight divisions, including the revolver division, backup division (bug), Compact Carry Pistol (CCP), Enhanced Service Pistol, Stock Service Pistol, Pistol Caliber Carbine, Carry Optics, among others.
The competition is structured so that each division competes within itself, meaning there is no overall winner due to the varying capacities of different firearms, with some holding only seven bullets and others up to 30. Onyango also noted that the competition has previously been held in South Africa, and Kenya is celebrating the opportunity to host it, with over 30 shooters expected from countries like Russia and the USA.
Highlighting the participation of top African women competitors and Kenyan pistol champions, Onyango stated that safety is a priority. The event started with a pre-match for safety officers using live ammunition to ensure the event’s environment is safe. Forty-three internationally trained safety officers are set to compete on Wednesday and Thursday, with other shooters following on Friday and Saturday.
Onyango stressed the importance of demystifying shooting sports, traditionally associated with elite groups, by encouraging youth engagement. He explained that shooting sports can elevate youths, with clubs like the Bamburi Rifle Club offering promotional avenues. He added that the law supports shooting for sporting purposes within controlled environments, provided participants are accompanied by a licensed firearm holder.
The IDPA shooting disciplines range from level 1, open to anyone, to level 5, an international world shoot. Newcomers are restricted to levels 1 and 2, under the supervision of safety officers.
This tournament marks the first competition in Kenya this year, with plans to travel globally for further shooting experiences. Some safety officers involved are police officers participating in the sport as a stress-relief activity.
Bamburi Rifle Club’s Vice Chairman, Mohammed Ramadhan, expressed excitement about hosting the event, citing the club’s long-standing tradition of promoting safe and responsible gun ownership. He praised their impeccable safety record over 55 years, attributing it to strict safety measures enforced by a dedicated team.
Ramadhan concluded, “We are looking forward to having a very good game, we have several master shooters and sharp shooters and this will improve our game.” He also noted the event’s positive impact on local tourism, with 200 shooters visiting the country.