KARACHI: A five-member Pakistan squad is due to leave for Kuwait on Friday to take part in the Asian qualifying shooting tournament being held there from March 7 to 14 to select boys and girls for this year’s Youth Olympics.

The squad includes two boys — Hashir Barlas and Abdul Quddus and one girl namely Javeria Shafqat — and two officials, the National Rifle Association of Pakistan (NRAP) announced on Tuesday. Zafar Iqbal will accompany the squad as coach.

The International Sports Shooting Federation (ISSF) is conducting the qualifying event in Kuwait City to select the best shooters for the third Summer Youth Olympics to be staged in Nanjing, China from Aug 16 to 28.

NRAP executive vice-president Razi Ahmed Khan, also manager of the team, said boys and girls from 35 Asian nations were taking part for quota places in air pistol events.

As per the ISSF rules, he added, shooters achieving the minimum qualifying scores of 540/600 will be eligible for quota places.

“Both Hashir Barlas and Abdul Quddus had achieved the scores of 550-plus during the nationals,” Razi stated, adding if they achieved scores in 550 plus (in Kuwait event) they had bright chances of making the Youth Olympics.

Pakistan seniors and juniors training camp was under progress at the Pakistan Navy International Shooting Range in the build-up for upcoming international events.—APP