… Namibian, Angolan events planned to celebrate his passion
By John Tuerijama THE Namibian shooting fraternity will on 14 October compete in the first-ever Sven Ahrens Memorial Shooting Competition, scheduled to take place in the capital, in honour of one of the country’s most passionate shooters, who committed suicide last year. Hasso Ahrens, Sven’s father, told Confidente this week that it has been a year since his beloved son committed suicide. He said his late son was passionate about the sport and although he did not represent his country at the Olympic Games, he did take part in national and club competitions. “He did much to develop the sport of shooting. Sven was a passionate and disciplined shooter, who contributed immensely to the sport. The event is going to be annual competition that will see close to 14 shooters competing in remembering the contribution made by Sven,” the grieving father said. The competition will be hosted by the Clay Target Club Windhoek, at the Neuweiler Shooting Range, situated east of the capital. “The Ahrens family, together with the sport shooting and hunting organisations of Namibia and Angola will organise the shooting competition in honour of their son and brother. A beautiful edition of floating trophies, cups, medals and pins were crafted in Germany and have arrived in time to be awarded at the annual shooting competition,” the shooting competition organisers said. T h e C l a y Target C l u b W i n d hoek said that shotgun shooters will test their skills at hitting clay targets out of the sky, while the Namibia Rifle and Hunting Association will compete with high-powered calibre rifles at Farm Zonnewald in Stampriet on 11 November, at a separate event. The organisers said that the Angolan Clay Target Shooting Federation will also host the Sven Ahrens Memorial Shoot at the NNN Farm, near Lubango, from 17 to 19 November, during their Angolan Olympic Trap Shooting Championships. “Sven is sorely missed amongst the shooting and hunting community. He was a big sponsor and supporter of the sport shooting industry in Namibia. “He was a top shooting comp e t i t o r himsel f and had sponsored the sport shooting community for many years, and represented the country in all the different shooting categories, and has won many competitions, while his personality was welcomed by many who knew him.” “While each medal winner will win a trophy, the main floating trophy will remain with the shooting organisations and will be awarded annually,” Hasso said. The Namibian police reported late last year that Sven’s body was found by a newspaper delivery man, a few metres from his home in Finkenstein on the eastern outskirts of Windhoek. It was reported that the 42-year-old shot himself with his own licensed 9mm pistol, and left a note addressed to his wife. He was the owner of Ahrens Guns & Ammunition in the capital. Sven was the brother of retired top shooter Gaby Ahrens, who last represented the country at the 2016 Olympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Apart from being respected for his gun expertise, Sven was also actively involved in the sport and was known to give support through sponsorships and in kind. Sven represented Namibia at the Hunting Rifle Shooting Association World Games. His father is also known in shooting circles, and is said to have accompanied Gaby to the Rio Summer Games.
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