Charles Micallef (July 7) is one of the most prolific writers, sending letters to the press on a multitude of subjects.
When he is not bashing teachers for their privileges such as half days or for giving private lessons, he is sniping against the 25-year retirement schemes enjoyed by the police and army personnel. If I did not know Mr Micallef personally I would have thought he is a promoting agent to set the ball rolling in the letters' columns of the local newspapers.
His latest jihad is to tackle obesity in Malta single-handedly! He guards his patch with the same zeal of a rottweiler! According to Mr Micallef, SmartCity should be abandoned because the area will be deep under sea as a result of global warming in 20 or so years! He penned several articles and letters to the press on this subject and the respective editors must have found them amusing.
Mr Micallef has now decided to spite someone by writing against the wise decision taken by the government to allow 14-year-olds to take part in target shooting under strict adult supervision and in licensed shooting clubs. Mr Micallef's arguments against this sport are pathetic! Even shooting as a sport and hobby are health promoting.
Serious target shooters do not smoke, must be physically fit and do not abuse alcohol otherwise their performance on the range suffers.
In 1996 when air rifle shooting was made legal in Malta, a sensible campaign was run to promote this sport among young people.
A poster was designed depicting a young woman in full shooting gear armed with a target air rifle at the Bidnija range. The implied message was against alcohol abuse and smoking in young people.
Mr Micallef's attempt to foment negative public opinion against legitimate target shooting is despicable. Scaremongering against guns and shooting is easy especially when the public is not given the full facts.
Having served as Director for Health Promotion for more than five years I definitely can state that what our young people need is to have the chance to participate in all kinds of sporting activities and that includes target shooting.
The government is to be commended for making it possible that young prospective shooters can start early practising this hobby.
Mr Micallef regaled us with his exploits as a reservist in the army and how he enjoyed shooting and the thrill he derived when he claims to have hit the target, so why should our young people be denied this adrenaline kick?
"Catching them young" is the ultimate aim of all sporting disciplines. Our William Chetcuti in the field of Double Trap has made us proud and the same would apply if scouting for talent starts early for other shooting disciplines.