The Malta Shooting Sport Federation will be celebrating its 100th anniversary between 31 January and 10 February.
The programme will include a thanksgiving Mass, a reception, a Gala Dinner and international Double Trap, Skeet and Trap competitions at the Bidnija Ranges.
This was announced by federation president Salvu Portelli yesterday during a news conference at Bidnija.
Portelli said it was an honour for the federation to be celebrating this anniversary. “There are just a few associations who have reached such a milestone. It is of great importance to us and we feel proud that we are here to celebrate it,” he said.
He thanked every previous president and members of the Council who had given their valid contribution from time to time to see the federation growing into what it is today. He also thanked all governments and sports ministers, as well as the Maltese Olympic Committee, the Maltese Council for Sport and all shooters who had represented Malta in Games abroad, especially those who won the gold medals. “We always had their full support whenever we asked for it, although sometimes we needed more assistance.
“We now hope to make a step further step and see a Maltese shooter winning an Olympic gold medal. William is training hard and seems to be returning to his best form. We hope he will peak in time for the Olympics, especially if, as expected, he takes part either through a quota or through an invitation,” he added.
The MSSF president explained that Chetcuti is ranked 27th at present, but that does not mean anything with regards to Olympic participation. He said: “So far only 17 shooters have managed to get the quota and their ranking varies to the 84th in the world list. This means that anyone can do it, especially if one wins a World Cup event or a European Championship. We are confident that if not, we will receive an invitation either from the Beijing Organising Committee or the ISSF, although I can reveal that we have applied to get two invitations,” he said.
Portelli said the federation was proud that it was also a protagonist in the past few years among local sports federations. “So successful were our athletes in international competitions that we dominated the Sports Awards of the MOC and those organised by the Sportswriters Associations. We can safely say that shooting is now the No. 1 sport in Malta in so far as successful results are concerned,” he said.
Portelli made an appeal to the authorities for more assistance in the construction of another shooting complex so that the MSSF will be able to organise a World Cup in 2010. “We have just won the bid after having seen that for this year postponed as there was no acceptable range for such a big event to be staged here. We now hope that the present discussions will bear the desired fruit and that the venue will be ready on time. We will do our best not to lose our successful bid another time as then we will lose our credibility within the international federation (ISSF),” he added.
International event
Portelli then spoke about the international event taking place during that week. He announced that shooters from Italy, England and Wales will join those from Malta to take part in Skeet, Double Trap and Trap competitions. He did not exclude the possibility of some Russian and Cypriot shooters taking part as well.
Among the shooters taking part are some well known names in the international field.
“Apart from our own Chetcuti, there are Italians Giulio Fioravanti, Federico Fanali, Marco D’Annizzo, Marco Verrengia, Igino Alessandri and Angelo Prosperini from the Lazio club, as well as former top shooter Giovanni Pellielo. Coaches Vigano and Gregori are also expected to accompany the Italians here,” said Portelli.
He said he also expected Maltese Australian Jeff Tonna to shoot for Malta in this tournament. “He is going to be here. Last year he did quite well in San Domingo and even better in Lonato where he placed 10th with a score of 119, only one clay away from the barrage,” he added.
The Double Trap competition is to be held on 3 February. The Skeet competition follows on 5 and 6 February while the Trap competition is scheduled for 8, 9 and 10 February.
Also coming to Malta for the anniversary celebrations are ISSF secretary general Dr Horst Schreiber, the president of the European Shooting Confederation Unni Nicolaysen, the president of FITAV, the Hon. Luciano Rossi and the president of the Russian Shooting Union, Mr Vladimir Lisin.