Emirati warm welcome to Shooting World Cup bronze winner

Dubai, March 28, 2013 (WAM) - A warm welcome was accorded to Saif Khalifa bin Futtais, a UAE national who won the bronze medal of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Acapulco, Mexico. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Hasher Al Maktoum, representative of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) who made history in the Emirates when he shot his way to gold in the doubletrap event at the Athens Olympics in 2004, Sheikh Juma bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum, head of the Fazza Shooting team and winner of a gold medal at the 2nd Asian Shotgun Championship and Grand Prix in 2012, officials and fans received bin Futtais upon arrival. Sheikh Ahmed hailed bin Futtais' achievement and said he will most likely qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Sheikh Juma said the champion has always been diligent and close to the podium and now he is reaping the fruits. At the recent International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Acapulco, Mexico, bin Futtais outdid USA's Jon McGrath 15 to 14 hits in the Bronze medal match, securing his first ISSF medal ever. It is also the first ISSF medal for Arabs and Asians. He qualified to the skeet semi-finals with 119 hits out of 125. This is bin Futtais' first participation after the new ISSF rule changes which have brought about the most extensive set of modifications in the sports history while implementing a completely new Finals format. After the qualification rounds, which are conducted under the old rules, the top-six shooters advance to a semi-final-a new competition stage. The qualification score is not carried forward as all the semi-finalists start from zero. – Emirates News Agency, WAM