The Malta Shooting Sport Federation (MSSF) will host an international Double Trap Grand Prix for the first time at its ranges in Bidnija next month.
This was announced in a press conference yesterday during which the federation also gave details on the Maltese team for the ISSF World Cup in Dorset and a new kit, sponsored by Teamsport, for the MSSF contingent.
William Chetcuti will be flying to the UK tomorrow for Sunday's Double Trap shoot in Dorset. The rest of the squad, Nicky Carabott, Steve Vella, Frank Scorfna, Jason J. Aquilina and George Cassar, will leave later on this week to compete in Trap on May 18 and 19.
Saviour Portelli, president of the MSSF, said the Grand Prix, on June 6, will also serve as a perfect build-up for those shooters due to participate in the World Cup in Lonato the following day.
"We felt that hosting this shoot would be a huge boost for our shooters and the federation," Portelli said.
"Unfortunately, there aren't many here who practise Double Trap but thanks to this event the few we have will compete at world class level."
The Grand Prix will be contested by 27 shooters from nine countries - Italy, Great Britain, UAE, Sweden, India, Kuwait, Hungary, Finland and Malta. The Maltese team will be headed by Chetcuti. The others will be Matthew Grech and N. Xuereb.
The competition, sponsored by Middle Sea, BOV, Blueline and Pintonino, will be on three rounds of 50 clays each with the top six qualifying for the barrage. The winner pockets €4,000 and €2,500 go to the runner-up. The third-placed shooter wins €1,500 and €500 for the other finalists.
MSSF secretary Dr Carmel Cascun reckons the prize-money at stake helped attract world class shooters to our shores with England's Steve Walton, Francesco D'Aniello and Daniele Di Spignio, both of Italy, among the high-profile names registered so far.
"We're delighted with the support we got from different quarters," Dr Cascun said.
"So, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors and Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Clyde Puli. Without their help we would not have been in a position to host this Grand Prix."
New facilities
Dr Cascun revealed that the federation and authorities are currently working together on plans to build a range. The new facilities, inclusive of indoor and outdoor ranges, would enhance sports tourism and attract foreign shooters when extreme weather conditions disrupt their training programmes in winter.
Finally, Portelli was hopeful that the Grand Prix wouldn't be the only international event to be hosted by the MSSF and urged the sporting public to give their backing to Maltese shooters on June 6.
"In future, we are planning to have this competition here on a regular basis and, perhaps, add other disciplines to it.
"But for this to happen we need the all-round support of the authorities and the public to attend in numbers. That would fill us, and our sponsors, with more confidence," Portelli said.