Edwin Vella, public relations officer, Malta Shooting Sport Federation, Bidnija
Sports tourism at its best in Bidnija
Last week's impeccable weather was a bonus for a contingent of Welsh shooters that came to Malta to participate in the Malta Autumn International Trap, Skeet and Air Weapons Grand Prix 2009, organised by the Malta Shooting Sport Federation in Bidnija.
Had the Malta Shooting Sport Federation plan materialised to have an international shooting range with four layouts in one venue, where all shooting disciplines could be practised, Malta would be benefiting from an influx of international shooters from all over the world to practise their sport in Malta.
Having only one nation with a trap, skeet and air weapons team was enough to feel the benefits of what sports tourism is all about.
Our climate makes it more attractive for Nordic European countries to come and train in Malta while their shooting ranges are closed during the autumn and winter months. Cyprus has already taken this opportunity. The Welsh shooting team manager, John Dallimore, encouraged the Malta Shooting Sport Federation to keep lobbying so that perhaps one day Malta would be able to organise the ISSF World Cup that would attract hundreds of shooters together with their coaches and support teams.
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Lawrence Darmanin
Dec 4th 2009, 19:31
The PN in its pre-electoral programme promised the maltese electorate that the National Shooting Ranges would soon be set up. To date this project is still at a standstill and seems to be buried under a whole mountain of bureaucracy. Tiny Gibraltar, half the size of Comino, organize a myriad of shooting training camps for foreign shooters in rifle, pistol, shotgun and airguns all year round. Here we cannot even manage to shoot a sport 0.22 rifle in just a 50m range. During my participation in the recent Isle of Man, Commonwealth Shooting Championships in the 50 m prone rifle, many shooters expressed their wish to come over and organize shoots in Malta for their teams, clubs and countries. I am now waiting for our prime minister to help me give them the reply they want.
MARIO SALNITRO
Dec 4th 2009, 14:09
WELL SAID EDWIN, BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT A FEW YEARS BACK CLUB CLAY SHOOTING MALTA HAD ORGANIZED QUITE A FEW INTERNATIONAL SHOOTS.
ALL THIS WAS DONE SAME AS THE ASSOCIATION YOU REPRESENT FOR THE SAKE OF HELPING AND ENCOURAGING ALL SORTS OF SHOOTING.
IN FACT SHOOTING TOURISM AND WATERSPORTS TOURISM ARE THE BEST THE ISLAND CAN OFFER.
UNFORTUNATELY WE DO HAVE MANY PEOPLE WHO OPPOSE ANY SPORT WHERE GUNS ARE INVOLVED.
I URGE ALL ASSOCIATIONS TO PROMOTE ALL SHOOTING SPORTS AS A HELP TO OUR TOURISM.
WELL DONE TO THE M.S.S.F. BIDNIJA.
James Green
Dec 4th 2009, 10:35
Initiatives of this sort are to be encouraged. Sadly with our red tape and reverse gear factories running at full steam, initiatives of this sort are stifled in double quick time.
Is there any reason why several years after new legislation we have yet to witness the approval of even one new private range for sport target shooting, despite ongoing efforts by enthusiasts?