The 2009 FITASC Sporting Africa Championship (incorporating the prestigious Finale of the Africa Cup) was a historic continental clay target shooting tournament held from March 4th to March 6th, 2009. Staged as a flagship fixture on the international calendar, this intense three-day championship brought together elite marksmen from across Morocco, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and visiting European nations to compete in the main Sporting discipline (Parcours de chasse). The tournament was proudly hosted at the world-class and breathtaking facilities of the Club Tanger de Tir aux Armes de Chasse in Tangier, Morocco.

This legendary tournament is famously remembered for the phenomenal performance of British shooting icon George Digweed, who successfully clinched the 2009 African Sporting Championship title.

Event Highlights & Structural Parameters

Operating under the highest international framework of global target sports, this African Championship combined Morocco’s rich sporting hospitality with strict international regulations:

Sanctioning Architecture: The competition operated under the direct international authority of FITASC (Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse), certifying that all multi-field layouts, target flight trajectories, and weapon compliance parameters conformed to strict global tier-1 standards.
The Continental Crown & Africa Cup Finale: Serving as the grand final leg of the 2009 Africa Cup, this championship aggregated selective continental points to crown the overall seasonal cup champions in individual and team categories.
Mediterranean Clifftop Challenge: Situated on scenic cliffs overlooking where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, the host venue delivered a beautifully demanding competitive arena. Strong, variable sea winds and shifting marine light tested the visual tracking, lead calculations, and mental focus of the world's best shooters.

1. Full Event Program & Schedule

The tournament operational timeline distributed the grueling 200-target qualification course over a focused three-day competitive schedule:

March 2nd – March 3rd (Monday – Tuesday): Arrival of international and continental delegations, squadding registration, official shooter check-in, weapon safety compliance verifications, and training lines open on the designated sporting layouts.
March 4th (Wednesday) — Championship Day One: Phase 1 of the official continental qualification course begins over specialized natural layouts.
March 5th (Thursday) — Championship Day Two: Middle qualification stages. Scoring margins tighten as shooters navigate wind-affected target trajectories along the coastline.
March 6th (Friday) — Championship Final Day: Concluding qualification flights, followed immediately by high-stakes, sudden-death international tie-breaking shoot-offs (barrages) to determine the definitive individual and category podium positions.
March 6th (Friday) — Official Closing & Awards Ceremony: Staged Friday afternoon at the main pavilion to honor individual, category, and national team winners, officially crowning the 2009 African Sporting Champions and finalizing the Africa Cup standings.

2. Venue Profile & Logistical Location Details

All tournament operations, specialized shooting tracks, and official administrative offices were hosted by Morocco's premier clay target complex:

Host Venue:

Club Tanger de Tir aux Armes de Chasse (Tangier Shooting Club)

Tangier (Tanger), Morocco

The Club Tanger de Tir is internationally renowned for its dramatic clifftop views, top-tier automated launcher configurations, and exceptional Moroccan hospitality. Located in the historic gateway city of Tangier, the club's "old-style" FITASC courses span rolling seaside hills, challenging shooters with highly technical, wind-affected target paths requiring extreme precision and shot-to-shot adaptability.

3. Organizing Committee & Registration Framework

Administrative operations and international competitor registries followed strict timeline allocations managed through the global governing body and the host federation:

Host National Body: Royal Moroccan Shooting Sport Federation (FRMTS)
International Sanctioning Oversight: Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse (FITASC)

Shooting Ground

Club Tangérois de Tir

Tangier , Morocco

Club Tangérois de Tir, widely known as the "Diamant Vert" (the Green Diamond), is a prestigious, world-class shooting and recreation complex spanning an expansive 25 hectares in northern Morocco. Conveniently situated just 15 minutes from the historic center of Tangier and a mere 5 minutes from the Tangier Ibn Batouta International Airport, the club offers prime geographical accessibility for both local visitors and international travelers. This elite venue seamlessly merges a state-of-the-art Olympic shooting range with a luxury recreational resort, making it highly suitable for professional athletes, amateur shooters, families, and corporate groups alike.

As a premier hub for shooting sports, the club is a globally recognized venue that has hosted numerous high-profile national and international events. Most notably, it served as the venue for the prestigious ISSF World Cup Shotgun in March–April 2026, which welcomed 271 elite athletes representing 43 nations. The complex is officially affiliated with the Royal Moroccan Shooting Sport Federation (FRMTS), regularly hosting major tournaments such as the Throne Cup and serving as the primary training ground for top-tier Moroccan shooters.

The shooting infrastructure at Club Tangérois de Tir is exceptionally robust, featuring premium automated Mattarelli clay target launchers and advanced Multi-Pull electronic release systems. With a vast array of specialized pits for Olympic Trap, Skeet, Compact Sporting, and propeller shooting, the range challenges shooters of all skill levels. Adding to the complexity of the sport, the venue's natural hilly terrain and its proximity to the Strait of Gibraltar bring gusty marine winds that dynamically alter target trajectories, providing an unrivaled training ground for elite marksmen.

Beyond its professional shooting lanes, the club boasts a spectacular range of multi-sport and leisure facilities that rival high-end country clubs. Guests can access a professional tennis club with eight courts equipped with floodlights for night play and a 1,000-seat spectator grandstand, two mini-football fields, and four distinct swimming pools designed separately for men, women, and children to ensure maximum privacy. For dining and events, the complex offers two massive restaurants specializing in international cuisine and grilled dishes, a traditional tea room, and a grand 777-square-meter congress hall capable of accommodating up to 800 participants for conferences or banquets.

This diverse ecosystem of sports and leisure ensures that the club successfully caters to multiple distinct audiences. Elite sports teams and Olympic contenders utilize the ISSF-certified layouts for intense match preparation, while beginners can learn shooting safety and basics under the guidance of certified instructors. Simultaneously, the resort's child-friendly amenities, playground, and weekend entertainment programs make it a favored weekend destination for families, while its extensive business facilities make it a top choice for corporate team-building events.

In summary, Club Tangérois de Tir stands out as an unparalleled destination in North Africa, where sporting excellence meets premium leisure. By combining top-tier Olympic-grade equipment with comprehensive family and business infrastructure, the venue elevates the shooting club concept into a complete lifestyle resort. Its robust security, professional armory capable of storing 800 rifles, and proximity to major transport links make it a hassle-free, highly secure, and unforgettable experience for any visitor.

Key Infrastructure & Facility Details

Sports & Shooting Infrastructure:

6 combined Olympic ranges for Trap/Skeet and 2 separate Trap ranges.

8 Universal pits, 6 Olympic pits, 8 hunting weapon pits, and 2 Compact Sporting layouts.

8 propeller shooting pits equipped with 53 traps, 5 helix machines, and 46 pigeon chambers.

63 automated Mattarelli clay target launchers and advanced Multi-Pull electronic systems.

Secure on-site armory with a storage capacity of up to 800 sport rifles.

Recreational & Corporate Amenities:

Tennis club featuring 8 professional courts with floodlights and a 1,000-seat grandstand.

Two mini-football fields and four swimming pools (with dedicated zones for men, women, and children).

International restaurant "L'Océan" (400 covers), "Le Grill" restaurant (300 covers), and "L'Emeraude" tea room (800 seats).

State-of-the-art congress hall (777 sq. m) hosting up to 800 people and a 40-seat Presidential meeting room.

Moroccan "Thousand and One Nights" dinners with traditional shows and large tents for up to 1,000 guests (by request).

On-site medical infirmary, 24/7 security, and the largest parking lot in Tangier (400 cars or 300 caravans).

Core Advantages:

ISSF World Cup Standard: Renowned international range trusted for global championships.

Challenging Wind Conditions: Proximity to the Strait of Gibraltar offers wind patterns that test elite shooting adaptability.

Superior Logistics: Seamless travel, located just 5 minutes from the international airport.

Comprehensive Family Leisure: A complete resort experience featuring pools, playgrounds, and multi-sport courts.

Strict Safety & Security: Highly secure environment with professional gun storage and on-site medical staff.

Hours of Operation

Tuesday – Sunday: 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Monday: Closed (Note: Online listings on the official Facebook page may display a status of "Opening Soon" during season transitions or maintenance breaks).

18 Rte De Rabat Km, Tangier 90000, Morocco

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Website

Africa championship Finale of Africa Cup - Sporting - Morocco (March 2009)

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African Championship & Finale of the Africa Cup — Parcours de Chasse