Mauritania’s Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament, and government spokesperson, El Houssein Ould Medou, on Friday evening inaugurated the Keitna Traditional Shooting Tournament in the village of Akssir El Tarchane, in the Atar Department of the Adrar region.
The ceremony was held in the presence of Adrar Governor Abdallahi Ould Mohamed Mahmoud, along with a number of national and local officials and prominent figures.
Traditional Shooting as a Cultural and Sporting Heritage
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the minister said President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani attaches particular importance to traditional shooting, describing it as a longstanding cultural and sporting heritage that reflects the authenticity of the Mauritanian people and the depth of the country’s history.
He emphasized that the sport represents one of the key components of Mauritania’s national identity and remains an important expression of the country’s cultural heritage.
Government Efforts to Develop the Sport
Ould Medou said the government has worked to review the legal framework governing traditional shooting, with the aim of developing the sport and establishing clearer rules for its practice.
He also highlighted its broader role in promoting domestic tourism, supporting local economic activity and strengthening the presence of cultural heritage in public life.
Call for Fair Competition and Sportsmanship
The minister thanked the participating teams for their discipline and sense of responsibility while practicing the traditional sport.
He called on all participants to uphold sportsmanship, respect the principles of fair competition and ensure that the tournament reflects the positive values associated with Mauritania’s traditional shooting heritage.
More Than 600 Shooters Taking Part
For his part, Mohamed Mohamed Eznaki Sidiya, president of the National Federation of Traditional Shooting, said the Keitna Tournament is one of the most prominent official competitions on the traditional shooting calendar.
He noted that the tournament stands out because of its large turnout, with more than 600 shooters taking part in this year’s edition.
