Doha, 28 July 2020 - The Qatar Shooting and Archery Association (QSSA) has bid farewell to their long-time coach Viktor Karasov in a small but touching ceremony at the Losail Shooting Range clubhouse.
The Ukrainian coach, who studied shooting at the Lviv State University of Physical Education, was based in Qatar since 2006.
He trained and guided many Qatar marksmen including the 2012 London Olympics bronze medalist Nasser Al Attiyah.
His 14-year-long career included many honourable accomplishments during his training of the Qatar team which fetched medals at the Olympics and Asian level.
Other notable athletes to excel under his coaching have been Masoud Saleh and Rashid Saleh Abdulaziz Al Attiyah, Saeed Hamad, Abu Mohammed Al Munhas Hassan, Hassan Al Mannai, Rashid Al Shahwani and Khaled Al Muhannadi in addition to many promising stars such as Ali Al Ishaq, Mubarak Al Kuwari and Mohammed Al Muhannadi and Khaled Al Muhannadi.
Karasov has decided to return home for good after a distinguished innings as a coach in Qatar. In his farewell speech he expressed his thanks to all Qatar shooters and Nasser Al Attiyah in particular for bringing laurels to the nation.
“I hope that I have achieved the aspirations that the shooting federation sought from me during my career,” he said.
He added that the Qatar athletes have gained a lot of experience which exceeds expectations and hoped that they would continue to keep their focus and continue to excel.
Among those present on the occasion included Mohamed Ahmed Taher, Executive Director and Ali Saeed Al Mannai, Chairman of the National Teams Committee, who praised the great effort made by the coach during his tenure with QSSA.
Mohamed Taher presented a shield as memento on behalf of QSSA president Ali Mohamed Al Kuwari. The federation thanked Karasov and expressed gratitude for his work.
