Opening of the 2nd Shooting World Championship in Hanover: A celebration of the international community

On Thursday, 30 August 2024, the second Shooting World Championship was ceremoniously opened in Hanover. In the festive atmosphere of the event, athletes and guests from 16 countries gathered to celebrate the start of this international sporting event together.
The musical accompaniment to the opening ceremony was provided by the renowned Original Calenberger Brass Band, whose performance provided an atmospheric welcome for the guests. The ceremonial march of the nations was another highlight of the evening. The honored guests included the Prime Minister of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil, the City Councilor for Sports of the State Capital Hanover, Susanne Blasberg-Bense, Katharina Pape, the President of the German Deaf Sports Association, Timo Kruckemeyer of the Deaf Sports Association of Lower Saxony and President Stefan Kiesewetter of the Lower Saxony Sports Shooting Association. In their speeches, they warmly welcomed the participants from all over the world and emphasized the importance of this World Championship for international deaf sports.

In his speech, head of organization Marco Baron emphasized the special importance of this year's Shooting Sports World Championship. After an eight-year pandemic-related break, they are all the more pleased to be able to host the event in Hanover. In his welcoming speech, Prime Minister Stephan Weil emphasized Hanover's role as a stronghold of shooting sports and wished everyone involved every success.

Katharina Pape also expressed her thanks to the organizing committee and the numerous helpers who made this event possible. She emphasized that sporting events like these send a strong signal for peace and democracy in today's world.

The Lower Saxony Shooting Sports Association (NSSV), which is actively supporting the event, provided both the sports facilities and the staff. NSSV President Stefan Kiesewetter welcomed the participants and expressed his gladness that so many nations had accepted the invitation.

The opening ceremony was rounded off with a speech by Jaroslaw Janiec, board member of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD). He emphasized the historical importance of deaf sports and officially opened the world championship. The event's flag was then ceremoniously raised.

Special thanks go to the supporters and foundations, including the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs, the Lower Saxony Lotto Foundation, the Lower Saxony Deaf Sports Association and the state capital of Hanover.

Thanks to their generous support, the 2nd Shooting Sports World Championships in Hanover could be celebrated appropriately.

The city of Hanover once again presents itself as a cosmopolitan and sports-loving metropolis that warmly welcomes people from all over the world.