Shooting has been among the pillar sport behind Malta's success in GSSE competition.

Ten medals, including three gold, in the last three editions when clay shooting was included in the Games, is a remarkable record for a sport, that although not as popular as athletics or swimming, has done well enough to put Malta on the forefront internationally, mainly thanks to the exploits of double trap ace William Chetcuti.

However, the Malta Shooting Sport Federation is not relying on Chetcuti's sharp skills only for success. In fact, the federation at present boasts a group of outstanding shooters, blended perfectly by the experienced veterans and the ones coming up along with newcomers Kathryn Cassar and Rebecca Madyson in women's trap.

Frans Pace, Paul Vella and Emmanuel Grima have all been regular performers in this scenario. Next month, they will be leading the way for an emerging crop of talent ready to step into the limelight.

Clive Farrugia, 17, is one of the shining lights at the Bidnija ranges. The skeet shooter has done extremely well lately, winning two gold medals in the European Commonwealth Championships in Gibraltar and finishing a creditable fourth in the Commonwealth Youth Championships in India.

Farrugia is in Team Malta and will be making his first appearance in the GSSE in Cyprus.

"I am really looking forward for these Games," he told The Times.

"True, I never competed in the Small Nations before but the prospect of facing some of the world's best in skeet is a great incentive. Cyprus will be very strong but I'm ready to give it my best shot.

"During the past weeks I have been training really hard with coach Steve Mock to increase my scores. Things are looking good but I'm not setting any particular targets for now. My objective is to make the final barrage and then we'll take it from there."

In Nicosia, Farrugia will have an ideal point of reference for advice in Vella who won a silver medal in Malta 2003.

"Paul Vella is a shooter I really admire," Farrugia said.

"We train together a couple of times during the week and his opinion on certain aspects in our sport is always interesting to hear as I know that he is someone that I can learn a lot from. He did remarkably well this year to qualify for the Games and I think that he will be a strong contender for a medal."

Vella won't give away an extra inch in Cyprus but had words of encouragement for his younger team-mate.

"Clive is a very skilful competitor who, I'm sure, will achieve great things in his career," he said.

"If he's on top of his form on the day he will rank among the best in Cyprus. He's cool with the trigger even in tense moments and that is a great asset to have."

Asked about his prospects, Vella said: "I have been away from the scene for a few years now but this year I found the motivation to try and win my place back in the team. I'm delighted to be in and now I want to make a creditable showing in Cyprus.

"In our sport everything depends on current form but I'm hopeful that if everything goes well I can challenge for one of the top positions."

Shooting team

Trap: F. Pace, N. Attard; R. Madyson, K. Cassar.

Double Trap: W. Chetcuti, D. Bonanno.

Skeet: C. Farrugia, P. Vella.

Air-rifle: W. Vella.