Scouts Christmas 2002 Air-Rifle Shooting Challenge

Three scouts scout groups from the North, South and Central districts participated in the Scouts Christmas 2002 Air-Rifle Shooting challenge organised by the Air-Weapons section of the Malta Shooting Federation held on Saturday 14th December 2002 at the Bidnija indoor Shooting ranges. Thirty older scouts and Ventures from the Lyceum, Qrendi and St. Michael’s School Scout Groups competed against each other in individual and team classifications in an Olympic discipline shoot out.

Prior to the event, the Malta Shooting Federation’s senior air-weapons instructors Joseph Camilleri and Malta’s Male representative in the air-rifle shooting class, Lawrence Darmanin organised tuitions at their respective scout groups instructing on “master at arms” drills, fire arm handling and safety together with the shooting procedures that were to be observed on the day.

Attending the presentation ceremony, Chief Executive Mr. Godwin D’Anastasi thanked the Malta Shooting Federation for this fine initiative and its official Joseph Camilleri, Lawrence and Gino Borg. For their dedication and assistance in the organization of this event.

Congratulating the respective Scout groups for their participation in this first ever shooting challenge, Mr. D’Anastasi praised the respective scout groups and their members for their participation in this joint activity that brought together the different Scout districts, localities and family backgrounds. Congratulating the winners in each of the scout and venture classifications, Mr. D’ Anastasi reminded all that whilst the names of the winners would in time be forgotten, newly made friendship and comradeship amongst the participating scout groups and their members would last a lot and a lot longer.

The Shooting Federation of Malta in recognition of their participation and high sense of discipline later awarded participants a commemorative medal during this event. Trophies were also presented to the best three shooters in each category. St Michael School’s Venture scout Pablo Kuilboer was later presented with a “Fair Play Trophy”, whilst the Qrendi Scout Group received the Scout Christmas 2002 Challenge Cup.

Allowed to participate in an “Old timers” class shoot out that followed the presentation ceremony, organised for the respective group leaders, Mr. D’Anastasi classified second with Qrendi Group’s Roderick Bugeja and St Michael School Group, Mr. Gordon Mercieca, first and third respectively.

All scouts present finally thanked the Malta Shooting Federation and augured them success in the forthcoming Small Nation Games scheduled for 2003.