NAIROBI, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Africa Shooting Championships will start on Sunday in Tapasa, Algeria and 13 Kenyan marksmen, who left for Algeria on Thursday, feel they have done enough to secure victory.

The 10-day championship, which also serves as Africa's qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games will see eight countries battle it out for the 24 berths reserved for the continent.

The countries that have confirmed participation are host Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Cameroon and Nigeria.

A total of 300 shooting berths are up for grab for the Tokyo Olympics. Host Japan has been guaranteed 12 places with one in each of the individual events.

Speaking in Nairobi, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed said the team has had good preparations and will be one of the tough teams to beat, especially on moving target category.

"I have visited the team and seen their work and am impressed," said Mohamed on Thursday.

"I flagged off the shooting team as they head Tapasa, Algeria for the championship, which runs from Sunday to Nov. 26. The team has exhibited excellent performance throughout the year."

The 13 Kenyan shooters are led by small-bore trigger puller Gurpreet Dhanjal and have been coached by Indian and 2012 London Olympics 10m Air Rifle bronze medalist Gagan Narang in Nairobi.

Others are Gulraaj Sehmi, Idris Kasmani, David Kirui, Christopher Saina, Maurice Morara and Francis Kinyua, who will compete in the men's 10m Air Pistol, while Linet Owiti, Maryanne Cherotich, Dorin Okiri and Jane Wanjiru will compete in women's event.

Sehmi will double up in men's 10m Air Rifle team that has Dhanjal and Sanford Otundo while the women's team has Pricillah Mburu.

Egyptian Hosny Hazem, the president of the African Shooting Sports Federation (ASSF), said that Algeria is ready for the championships.

"We are ready to offer a helping hand in the preparations and participation in the qualifiers. Africa has a huge potential and will be a challenger for medals in Tokyo," Hazem said.

Kenya Sports Shooting Federation (KSSF) chairman Shoaib Vayani hopes that his team will be able to secure at least five slots and take the pressure off track and field to win Kenya medals at the Olympics.

"Our training has been smooth. I'm sure Kenya will do well," Vayani said.

Kenya failed to get a slot in the Rio 2016 Olympics in shooting competition, unlike in 2012 London Games where the country entered one marksman. Enditem

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