Doha, December 05 (QNA) - The 2025 ISSF Shooting World Cup Finals for rifle, pistol, and shotgun will begin on Friday at the Lusail Shooting Complex, featuring top shooters and world champions from around the globe.

The event will run until Monday, with the best 12 male and 12 female shooters competing in each discipline.

Jassim Shaheen Al Sulaiti, the tournament director, said this is the second time Qatar hosts the finals, which serve as preparation for the World Championship in November, offering the first 36 qualifying spots for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. A total of 144 athletes from 133 countries will participate, including Qatar's 16 shooters.

The competition will apply the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system for the first time to ensure fairness. Over 60 top international referees, supported by a strong Qatari officiating team, will oversee the events.

Luciano Rossi, President of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), praised Qatar's organizational capabilities, describing the facilities, logistics, and infrastructure as exceeding all expectations and cementing Doha's status as a global hub for major sports events.

The finals are also seen as a critical step for Qatari shooters to gain experience ahead of the 2025 World Championship, with new coaches helping athletes enhance performance and prepare for Olympic qualification. (QNA)