Shooters continue sub-standard show

Pakistan fail in individual, team skeet events of Asian Championship.

KARACHI: Pakistan shooters failed in the skeet event as disappointment for the country continued at the Asian Shooting Championship in Doha.

According to information made available, Pakistan players failed in both the individual and team events, thus ending their chances of making it to the London Olympics. Abdul Sattar finished a lowly 24th, while Olympian Khurram Inam ended the individual event in 27th.

Although both shooters impressed on the final day, their opening day performances cost them dearly. Sattar, who started the final day with a score of 69/75, hit 49/50 to end with a tally of 118/125. Inam finished with a tally of 114/125 after resuming on 68/75.

Meanwhile, Pakistan also failed to confirm an Olympics berth in the team skeet event after finishing ninth. Fielding Yousuf Malik, Sattar and Inam, Pakistan scored 334 points, while Qatar accumulated 362 to win the competition. Kuwait (361) ended second.

Pakistan now rest their hope in the trap event where Usman Sadiq and Shakeel Illyas will participate besides a couple of other shooters.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2012.