Salvu Portelli was confirmed MSSF president during an AGM held at the Malta Shooting Sport Federation headquarters at Bidnija last Saturday. Edwin Vella was also confirmed MSSF Public Relations Officer. Dr. Carmel Cascun was elected MSSF Segretary and Frans Pace was elected MSSF Treasurer.Grezzju Agius, Jimmy Bugeja, Cassar George, Nicky Carabott and Stephen Vella were elected as council members. Azzoppardi Patrick MRPSC rep and Angelo Galea as MARPSC rep.
           During his speech Mr. Portelli mentioned the success of our shooters in 2009 and look foward for another successful year ahead. He said that we hope that the national shootng range complex will materialize in the near future. He also stressed on the importance of an agreement between the KMS and the MOC regarding funding of national sports federation. Unless an agreement is reached we cannot budget for the participation in ISSF World Cups where we have to book months before.
MSSF PRO
Edwin Vella

It is a great pity that nothing was mentioned on the preparation and possible funding of potential shooting athletes for the forthcoming Games of the Small States of Europe (the most important International Games for Malta to participate)  taking place in Liechtenstein in May next year. It is common knowledge that the shooting disciplines this time round will be 10m Air-Rifle, 10m Air-Pistol and 50m Smallbore Prone Rifle for both men and women separately - a possibility of 18 medals!

Lawrence, are you sure the Centre Fire pistol even has been left out at the Leichtenstein games ?
Big loss in my opinion. One would have thought that seeing how its missing from the Olympics, the ISSf would use any opportunity to field Center Fire pistol in any international event it can.
Maybe I am missing something in my reasoning here.

Vincent,

Since the GSSE started way back in 1985 there has never been shooting competitions with Centrefire pistols. The only shooting disciplines organized so far by the Small Nations are usually 10m Air-Rifle, 10m Air-Pistol, Smallbore Rifle Prone 50m, Trap, Double-Trap and Skeet. The only 'big' games where centrefire pistols (including rapid fire, standard pistol and sport pistol) is in the Commonwealth Shooting Federation Championships and the Commonwealth Games. In these games, Fullbore Rifle and 3 Position Rifle (50m) are also organized for both males and female shooting athletes. The next Commonwealth Games will take place in New Delhi - India next October 2010.

Lawrence

Until the dispute between the KMS and MOC is resolved nobody is receiving an funds. The KMS that means the central goverment  has not passed a cent to MOC or any sports federation yet for 2010. That means all sports federations are on a deadlock regarding planning and funding. This is definetly not right because it is causing a lot of harm to sports in Malta. How can you plan the ISSF international programm when we are in the middle of March and we do not know our budget. They are making a mess of Sports in Malta. When the games arrive they all come and fight who will present the medals then.
MSSF PRO
Edwin Vella

Yes Edwin this is very true but this story is practically repeating itself year in and year out. It is nearly impossible to do do long term sports planning in this country. But if this year the deadlock remains any longer at least they will  be no need to fight each other to present the medals!!! Still, at this year's MSSF AGM there was no mention of the oncoming Games of the Small States of Europe - is it because there are no shotgun shooting events this time round!