Al Dhaid Sports Club's pistol shooting team has arrived in Nagoya, Japan, ready to compete at the 20th Asian Games. The event runs until 2 October 2026, and the club is set on making its presence felt in international shooting sports.
The team includes manager Ali bin Noumah Al Ketbi, coach Amin Muthanna Ahmed, and shooters Ahmed Al Ameri and Mohammed Kamel Mahdi. Each member brings experience and focus, prepared to face some of the strongest competitors in Asia.
"The shooting events at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya are divided into three blocks-rifle, pistol, and shotgun-with the pistol programme scheduled from 23 September to 1 October, making Al Dhaid's arrival perfectly timed for their discipline."
- Olympics.com
For Al Dhaid, this trip is part of a larger plan. Board member and shooting chief Malik Musbah Al Ketbi has emphasized that competing in major continental events is a deliberate move to help Emirati shooters grow. "This Asian campaign reflects the club's ongoing commitment to nurturing its shooters and ensuring they gain vital experience by facing Asia's top marksmen," he said. Direct competition is seen as key to building both skill and confidence.
The timing is intentional. The Asian Games are a major test, and Al Dhaid's shooters are expected to learn from the experience and bring those lessons back to the UAE's wider sports programs. This approach matches the message from UAE officials at the Games' opening, as reported earlier, where they called for performances that reflect the country's progress and unity in sports.
As the competition gets underway in Nagoya, attention will be on how Al Dhaid's shooters handle the pressure and pace of continental-level events. Their results will show not just individual progress, but also how the club's development strategy is working and where the UAE stands in Asian shooting sports. By choosing to compete internationally, Al Dhaid is aiming to raise the standard for Emirati shooting. Strong performances here could help open doors for future talent.
"According to Reuters, shooting was one of the most medal-rich sports for India at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, with 7 out of 28 gold medals coming from the shooting range. This regional emphasis on shooting development highlights why many countries are intensifying their programs ahead of Nagoya 2026."
- Reuters
Official documentation from Olympics.com confirms that the shooting events are being held at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery, a venue set up for the tournament. The Asian Games in Japan run from 19 September to 4 October 2026, with some competitions, like men's basketball, starting even before the opening ceremony, as reported by Reuters. The shooting schedule includes qualification rounds, finals, and official practice sessions, with shooters able to train at the venue on 19 September, just before the medal events begin, according to Olympics.com.
Despite the scale of the Games, Reuters notes that Nagoya has so far kept a low profile, with little sign of the usual "Asian Games fever." For teams like Al Dhaid, though, the focus is on performance and gaining experience as they look to make an impact on the continental stage.
