The Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in collaboration with the Office of Weapons and Hazardous Materials, has announced the launch of the second edition of the Abu Dhabi Grand Shooting Championship, held under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
The championship will take place from 13-24 August 2025, in accordance with the official regulations of the UAE Licensed Firearms Shooting Championship. The event aims to support the sport of shooting, encourage its responsible practice within the community, and align with the UAE leadership’s vision of preserving and promoting traditional heritage sports.
Competitions will be hosted across three premier venues: Al Forsan International Sports Resort – Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra Shooting Club – Madinat Zayed, and Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club – Al Ain. The total prize pool across all categories exceeds AED1 million.
His Excellency Mohammed Suhail Al Neyadi, Director General of the Office of Weapons and Hazardous Materials, emphasised that the second edition continues the strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council to promote shooting sports within a professional and safe framework. He noted that the championship also aims to strengthen the culture of responsible firearm use in line with the values and traditions of Emirati society.
His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “This championship reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting all sports, especially those rooted in Emirati heritage. We strive to provide an ideal and well-organised environment for athletes to participate, while also enhancing community cohesion, discovering local talent, and instilling values of discipline and responsibility.”
The championship will officially begin on August 13 2025, at Al Forsan International Sports Resort with the 9mm Pistol competition. The first three days of the event (13-15 August) will be entirely dedicated to resident competitions, under a new and exclusive category designed to offer residents a unique opportunity to participate and compete in a dynamic sporting atmosphere.
Events at Al Dhafra Shooting Club include the .223 Rifle on 16 August 2025, followed by the .308 Rifle on 17 August 2025.
At the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club, competitions resume on 22 August 2025 with the 9mm Pistol, followed by the Men’s Shotgun on 23 August 2025, and concluding on 24 August 2025 with the Women’s Shotgun, Junior, and Team Clay Shooting competitions.
The event is expected to attract wide participation across various age groups and skill levels, reflecting the growing community interest in this time-honoured sport.
