Retired Emirati banker rules at Fazza shooting championship
Aretired Emirati banker showcased his marksmanship to clinch first place at the Fazza Championship for Shooting – Saktoun for UAE nationals (Men’s Category) .
Muhammad Saeed Fahim, a former banker, won first place in the tightly-contested category with a total score of 79 points. He was closely followed by Muhammad Saleh Al-Minhali with a score of 78 while Khalid Muhammad Al-Qaidi finished third with 77 points.
Fahim’s victory was celebrated by his friends who consider him as their ‘big brother.’
Fifty-five-year-old Fahim, who hails from Ras Al Khaimah, used to work at the Central Bank of the UAE. “I love shooting, specifically Saktoun, which is a UAE heritage sport. I learned shooting from my family and I have always maintained it as a hobby that has become a passion for me. I have participated in the tournament since the first edition, and I previously achieved first place in the Open category in 2009.”
He added: “I will transfer my knowledge to my children. My son, Saqr, achieved third place in the Plate Shooting Category for UAE nationals. We will always be keen to participate and compete whenever we have the opportunity.”
Organised by the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre (HHC), the final round was held on Wednesday at Fazza Shooting Range in Al Ruwayyah. The men’s category saw the participation of 192 Emiratis who competed in the qualifiers that began in December last before concluding on March 3.
The winners were crowned by Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, CEO of HHC; Brigadier Mohammed Obaid Al Muhairi, head of the Fazza Shooting Committee – Saktoun; and Lieutenant-Colonel Khalifa Obaid Al Suwaidi, deputy in charge of the organising committee.
Nayef Saeed Al Kathiri, meanwhile, grabbed first place in the Juniors with 79 points, followed by Ahmed Mahmoud Al Deri with 77 marks and Hassan Hamdan Al-Mahrami in third place.
Al Kathiri, the winner in the Juniors category, said it was his grandfather who taught and trained him in Saktoun. “My grandfather taught me valuable lessons and tips how to excel,” said Al Kathiri, who also finished first place in the last edition. —