President of the National Shooting Sport Association of Thailand, Tawich Chinbancehon and Thailand Sports Authority deputy governor, Nattavuth Ruengves, were among the officials to greet the competitors at the event's Opening Ceremony.

“We welcome over 330 athletes and 100 officials here in Thailand,” Ruengves said.

“We are grateful to the ISSF for entrusting us to host such an important competition in the Olympic year.”

Ten competitions are scheduled to take place until March 9, with the World Cup getting underway with the men’s and women’s 10 metre air rifle contests.

The event provides competitors with a final chance to produce a minimum qualification score, which could prove enough to see them book at place at this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, should quota places be reallocated.

Willi Grill, the ISSF technical delegate, praised organisers in Thailand for their work in preparing the NSSAT Shooting Range for the competition.

“To be back in Bangkok, four years after our last event here, is a dream that comes true,” he said.

“I would like to thank the Organising Committee of this competition and the National Shooting Sport Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage for welcoming the shooting sport family with open arms.

“You’ve worked hard to provide us with excellent conditions to conduct the competition, and I am sure that this will be a successful event.

“I wish all the participants a successful and fair World Cup.”

The competition is the first of six World Cups due to take place this year, with ISSF TV set to produce video footage of each of the events.