A lot is being said about the proposed national shooting complex at Biż-biżija. However, one can only talk about it if he or she has hadthe experience of visiting a similar facility.
I have had the opportunity to visit quite a few shooting complexes around the globe, from Olympic Games venues to World Cup finals and the Junior Commonwealth Games.
My colleagues have visited most shooting ranges around the world and practically every range in Europe.
Why is a national shooting complex such a priority for Malta? The Malta Shooting Sport Federation has been lobbying for such a project since 2003, when Malta hosted the Games of the Small States of Europe.
The MSSF council had started discussions with the government and also the opposition of the time and an agreement was reached under which both promised to plan for an international standard shooting facility.
The MSSF was encouraged to apply to the International Shooting Federation to host the ISSF World Cup 2008.
The ISSF eventually agreed but unfortunately the works did not get underway as promised and the bid was extended to 2010. Yet again we were left without the facilities and again had to drop our bid.
On February 14, 2013, just before general election, Joseph Muscat, during a visit to the present MSSF facilities, made an electoral pledge that a new government would make sure Malta had a shooting range of the standard that could host an international event.
Soon afterwards, the MSSF started talks with the newly elected government to draw up fresh plans for a modern facility. In December 2014, a delegation from the MSSF and theParliamentary Secretary for Sport attended the ISSF general meeting and an application to bid for the ISSF World Cup 2017 was presented. It enjoys the support of most countries.
The government then issued a call for expressions of interestin developing one of the sites earmarked... and the controversy started.
Those objecting to the facility must realise that modern techniques make it possible to build eco-friendly shooting complexes. Most pistol and rifle shooting is practised indoors or shooting lanes are built below grass level, therefore making the sound level insignificant.
Modern techniques make it possible to build eco-friendly shooting complexes
When it comes to shotgun, trap and skeet ranges, modern facilities have sound and safetybarriers built around them which help to gather and recycle every single lead shot and keep the sound levels to a minimum.
Another important factor is that, under ISSF regulations, all ranges in the northern hemisphere must face north. Therefore, in the case of Biżbiżija, a former military installation, it will not hinder in any way the tranquility of the Jesuits’ retreat house, the Ta’ Żokrija school or the housing estate.
Proof of this is that in Belgrade, a luxury four-star hotel called The President is right in the middle of the city’s shooting complex. This facility has hosted ISSF world cups and Maltese shooter William Chetcuti has won two ISSF silver medals on this range.
This hotel also hosts a number of athletes from nearby sports facilities such as tennis and golf players. A state-of-the-art shooting facility opened just a few weeks ago in Baku, Azerbaijan, incorporating all shooting disciplines as well as a hotel and a conference hall.
This will be hosting the European Games where MSSF shooters will represent Malta.
In a few weeks’ time it will be hosting the first ISSF World Cup Baku 2015.
When the Maltese project materialises and Malta holds the ISSF World Cup 2017, it will attract hundreds of world class shooters, coaches and staff to the island, serving to promote high-end sports tourism.
The climate in Malta makes it viable to practise shooting sports on most days, so most Nordic countries will bring their squads over for training camps with all the benefits accruing for the economy.
Hundreds of Maltese athletes will have the opportunity to train alongside top shooters in all shooting sports disciplines.
With this in mind, we encourage the government to keep its electoral pledge and go ahead with its plans for a national shooting range for the benefit of all shooting sports disciplines and sports tourism.
Edwin Vella is the public relations officer of the Malta Shooting Sport Federation.