After a lapse of 10 years, the National Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF), at the request of the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF), hosted an ISSF Judges 'B' Course in Sri Lanka, with 35 participants.
The 3-day course conducted from November 11-13 at the Concord Grand Hotel in Dehiwela, was a success, according to NSSF Judges Committee Chairman Ibrahim Hamid.
"Sri Lanka has hosted two such events earlier, but this was the first instance where international participants too were featured. Of the 35 participants, 32 were successful, while 3 including a foreigner, failed. Overall, it was one of the best programmes conducted in recent years," said Hamid, a respected figure in the Rugby fraternity and a Grade 'A' ISSF Judge licence holder.
Most of the participants were locals with senior members from the Armed Forces and the Police, while the foreign participants were from Japan, Mongolia, Estonia and Nepal. Besides the four local Security Forces Clubs, Clubs such as Magnum, Hill Country, Clay Target, Puttalam, Siyane, Athagalle and the Schools Association took part.
Hamid came out with the vision of promoting the sport among schools, by recommending three participants from the Schools Association, but sadly, only one managed to get through the final exam.
"Three failed, two from the Schools Association and the representative from Nepal. But that doesn't mean it's the end of the road for them. They can always improve themselves and go through the process again. Apart from that, the rest were really extraordinary," Hamid added.
The course was conducted by ISSF Instructor Sharon Reynolds from Australia, while Hamid was the Assistant Course Instructor. Hamid elaborated that this was the best of the three courses held in Sri Lanka, as it was a positively conducted and well planned course.
"Sri Lanka hosted such ISSF Courses in 1991, when we were doing well even at international level, and again in 2006. I was part of both programmes and I must say this was the best so far. Incidentally, the ISSF 'B' Judges' Course is for beginners. We recommend the names of those who passed to the ISSF for their licence valid for four years. Of the locals who passed, the NSSF will enlist them at domestic competitions as judges and range officers, while I, as a jury member, will observe their progress on the field," he explained.
This Judges course was based on Paper Targets, which is the traditional method of reviewing the final scores. However, this method is not applicable at international events, where the Electronic Scoring System is mandatory.
Hamid also revealed that this course has a second stage on Electronic Scoring Target (EST), but due to unavoidable reasons, the programme had to be postponed to January 13-15.
"The competition at international level is getting tougher, as they sometimes differ by thin margins. The EST is a tough course with a thorough systematic follow-up conducted by qualified ISSF officers. It will be really helpful for these participants who obtained the 'B' licence, as they need to qualify and prove their class to become an 'A' judge."
'B' Judges licence holders will be able to act as an official or jury member in all other shooting competitions besides the Olympics, where officials are 'A' licence holders.
NSSF President, Sriyantha Peiris and Course Conductor Sharon Reynolds awarded Diplomas and Certificates to the successful candidates at the end of the programme.
The participants: Nagisa Nakamoto Okinawa, Kistina Kivari, Lt. Amali Wickramage,
D.G.K.S. Deniyegedara, Capt. W.A.S. Kumara, Capt. W.W.Y.N. Fernando, H.M.N.S. Premalal, Capt. H.K.L. Hettiarachchi, Lt. R.A. Charith, N.K. Regmi, Wg.Cdr. G.P.N.C. Piyasena, Sqd.Ldr. W.M. Madawa Bandara, Kaupo Kiis, Ramesh Jopesh, Flt.Lt. Manoj Wijewikrama, Lasitha Perera, Lt.Cdr. H.M.M.H. Bandara, Lt. S.M.D.A.G. Vimukthi, Suranga Fernando, Capt. K.H.P.M.P. Kusumsiri, Major R.K.D.D.S. Ratnayake, Capt. L.G. Panditharathna, R.M.S. Rathnayake, Chandima Saman Kumara, M.K.S.P.P. Alwis
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