Federation President Salvu Portelli yesterday emphasised that a new place which would hold at least four shooting ranges together would be needed to stage the 2008 World Cup in Malta.
Addressing a news conference yesterday at the Bidnija ranges, on the eve of an international double trap competition, he said that five places had already been earmarked and suggested to the government for a decision to be taken in this regard.
However, he made it clear that it was also very important for everyone to realise that the Malta Shooting Federation was recognised by the world and European body, as well as by the Olympic Committee. And therefore it was obvious that only its members would be able to represent Malta in international competitions such as the World Cup, World Championship, the Olympic Games and so on.
He was obviously referring to some comments made recently by Minister George Pullicino and MEPA officials over who would eventually run the new proposed shooting range, if it were to be constructed.
Portelli said that the Federation had asked for meetings with the Minister of the Interior Dr Tonio Borg and Minister of Education Dr Louis Galea to discuss the sports law with the former and the issue of the facility with Dr Galea.
The federation applied to stage the 2008 World Cup because it happens to be the 100th anniversary of its foundation. "But unless we have four ranges in one lay-out, we will not be allowed to organise the event by the International Shooting Federation. This is because the competitions, over one week, will involve at least 1,400 shooters and officials," he said.
Speaking about tomorrow's competition at Bidnija, in which William Chetcuti and up and coming youngster Rodney Micallef will be facing Sweden's Hanan Dahlby and Finland's Mikko Makkitalo, Portelli urged local sports followers to attend and watch what is expected to be a great spectacle between at least three of the world's top shooters.
Dahlby, in fact, won two gold medals in the last two years, as he was European Champion (2003) in Brno, Czech Republic, and again last year in Cyprus. Makkitalo's best score is a 141 and 188 out of 200. He was fifth at the Rome World Cup and third in the Belgrade event earlier this year.
Chetcuti was the European junior champion last year and this year, he finished second, although he was sacrificed to take part in the seniors event to try and get a quota place for Malta.
They will all be taking part in next month's world event in Dubai.
Portelli said that to prepare Chetcuti for the next Olympics in Beijing, the federation would need around Lm30,000 a year, that is, almost Lm100,000, but added he was sure that with the cooperation of the government, the MOC, the IOC and some sponsors, the target would be reached to enable Chetcuti to get the best preparation possible in the hope of a first ever medal for Malta at the Olympic Games.