Earlier this year to be precise in March 2009, the World Field Target Federation invited MAAC to be present and take part in this years Field Target World Championships taking place in South Africa between the 25th and the 27th September 2009. MAAC will represent Malta for the first time in this International Field Target event.
For many of MAAC's members, it is a dream to take part in such a prestigious event. Now MAAC feel that it is about time, to start taking such international challenges. We do not pretend instant results but particiaption will certainly boost more interest amoung member and new commers and above all we gaining of experience of how international event are hosted. The financial challenge to go to South Africa for a World Cup is not an easy task. One must considering the fact that it is very difficult to get sponsorship here in Malta to send a team of shooters for such an event. However MAAC did it's homework, and was able to get a part sponsorship for 8 shooters. This sponsorship will cover a small part of the costs involved, but it was enough to make this dream come true and within reach. MAAC would like to thank our MAAC PRO Mr. Kris Debattista who's efforts contributed to this sponsorship. MAAC would also like to thank Mr. Saviour Portelli President of the Malta Shooting Sport Federation (MSSF) and Mr.Joe Cassar from Kunsil Malti ghal lis -Sport (KMS) who despite their limited capactity still offered to help our shooters in this adventure to represent Malta.
The MAAC committee decided to make a selection of shooters according to WFTF requirements so as to distribute the sponsor to the first 8 shooters. A listing of all those shooters participating in FT and HFT events from September 2008 till 5th April 2009 was drawn. The number of participation and points accumulated were added up. Shooters with less then 3 participation did not qualify WFTF requirements, hence were eliminated from the list. The rest of the shooters were listed and ranked in order of points achieved. These 8 shooters in the list were contacted and informed about the selection. Each shooter had to agree that they qualified for the part sponsorship only, and that they had to agree to pay the rest of the expenses should they wish to compete in this event. Two shooters for personal reasons rejected the offer, and their place was taken by the next in line shooters on the listing. Finally by end of April, the 8 shooters confirmed their participation in this event. WFTF was informed and the Maltese contingent is now registered and confirmed with WFTF for the 2009 WC.
The idea of the summer league originated for two reasons. The first reason is to create a training schedule for these shooters with the WC competition conditions and as a form of fund raising activity. Any MAAC member is free to enter this summer league not just the 8 shooters going to South Africa. Questions have been asked why is the league just for 12 ftlbs air rifle. The reason is a simple one, FT is shot internationally at 12ftlbs. For the 8 shooters taking part in South Africa 12ftlbs is the limit. Other shooters may enter with air rifles up to 15ftlbs no problem. All entries from the summer league will contribute to the team sponsorship. There will be other fund raising activity's planned till September in aid of the team. One particular event will be a TRAP shot organized at Bidnija on the 2nd August 2009 courtesy of MSSF. Details about this and other events will be released soon.
Apart form the Field Target WC the MAAC shooters will also shoot a head to head Bench Rest match with the RSA team on Monday 28 th September 2009, RSA Vs Malta. The event will be hosted by the Free State Bench rest Shooting Association (FSBSA). Both MAAC and FSBSA are members WRARBF ( World Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Federation) . The head to head shot will take place at Krokodilspruit Range, this is the South African Bench rest Shooting Federation national shooting range the venue for the WBC10 that will take place end of June 2009. This head to head match will be conducting according to the new rules and targets that were finalized between ERABSF and WRARBF this month. The match will involve Air Rifle Benchrest and Rimfire Rifle matches. We would like to thank Mr. Nick Schoonwinkel form FSBSA who is organizing and providing the equipment for this additional event to the Maltese group.
The shooter attending this South African adventure are the following (in order of ranking): David Gardina, James Bugeja, Kris Debattista, Gordon Gouder, Rene Scorfna, Stanley Shaw, Dr. Mario Spiteri and Eric Camilleri. The shooters will participate in 3 different classes during this world FT championship, Veteran Class, Open Class and Springer Class. We would like to wish the Malta MAAC team good training and good luck for the South African adventure.
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