Time for a new shooting complex
Since its foundation in 1908, the Malta Shooting Sport Federation has always worked hard to improve the facilities and standard of shooting sport in Malta. In the early years of the MSSF, the facilities were limited, with its only shooting range being...
Since its foundation in 1908, the Malta Shooting Sport Federation has always worked hard to improve the facilities and standard of shooting sport in Malta.
In the early years of the MSSF, the facilities were limited, with its only shooting range being in Attard. During the 1970s the shooting federation moved to Bidnija, where, until today, there stand the MSSF ranges.
In 1993 the facilities were improved to host the GSSE. Along the years shooting became more popular in Malta and the participation of local shooters in international events brought great success. Today Maltese shooter William Chetcuti holds the junior world record in double trap.
The MSSF is affiliated in the ISSF, ECF, MOC and IOC. Therefore, it is the only body to represent the shooting sport in international events such as Olympic Games, Mediterranean Games, GSSE, ISSF World and European cups, ISSF world and European championships.
With the number of members of the MSSF on the increase and the Olympic disciplines being practised at the present ranges, it is becoming more evident that a new MSSF shooting complex is needed. This venture is only possible if this project is entrusted to the MSSF.
A new shooting complex would mean four layouts for trap, double trap, skeet shooting, an air weapons range, a pistol and rifle range and a black powder range. With these facilities the MSSF could hold ISSF world cups and ISSF European cups and championships in Malta, bringing hundreds of shooters accompanied by their coaches and officials and relatives to the island on a regular basis. This complex could also serve to encourage more young and talented shooters to take shooting sport more seriously in a modern environment.
The MSSF plans to develop these facilities with the latest technology, where shots will be recycled and the environmental impact reduced. With Malta's climate it would be possible to organise training camps between October and March when Nordic European shooting ranges close down in winter due to the bad weather. This would mean a lot for sports tourism which unfortunately is not being given the desired attention.
If this project materialises, it could be in time to organise an international event to celebrate the centenary of the federation in 2008.