Shooting: NSSF releases 2019 event calendar

The National Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF) released its event calendar for 2019, with the inclusion of 13 local and 11 international events. 

The NSSF calendar will flag off with the International Shooting Grand Prix scheduled for February 8 to 15 in Kuwait while locally it will be heralded with the Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo (CTSC) Open Skeet Championship in mid February. 

However the NSSF will have a tough start to begin the year 2019, as its officials are heftily working on with the preparations of the CTSC Open Skeet Championship, scheduled from February 14 to 17 at the CTSC Shotgun Range in Payagala while doing the groundwork to pick shooters for the International Shooting Grand Prix in Kuwait, followed by the ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup, from February 20 to 28 in New Delhi, India. 

The NSSF is highly keen shaping up its shooters, in particularly the youngsters for the upcoming events both locally and internationally, to come out with fine performances and target for medals at global competitions. 

"We are keen to see the local events taking place as planned with good turnouts and comprehensive outcomes. If all plans work out as drawn out, we will surely be able to produce some good talents from the local events, to produce for international events with medal hopes. While the events take place, there are also development projects taking place with more other activities happening," Pradeep Edirisighe, the Secretary of NSSF, stated. 

The earmarked local events will be the NSSF Open, National and Youth competitions, which will be held under Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun categories on designated dates. 

The busiest location will be the CTSC Shotgun Range in Payagala, the country's one of its kind. 

It will be the venue for eight Skeet and Trap meets. 

Sri Lanka Navy's Gemunu Range in Welisara, will be the venue for six rifle and pistol events. 

NSSF Local Events 

February 14-17: CTSC Open Skeet Championship at CTSC Shotgun Range, Payagala 

February 21-24: CTSC Open Trap Championship at CTSC Shooting Range, Payagala 

March 1st week: Open Air Gun Championship at SLNS, Gemunu Range, Welisara 

April 4th week: SSC Open Youth and Junior Air Gun Championship at SLNS, Gemunu Range, Welisara 

June 1st Week: NSSF Open Rifle/Pistol Championship at SLNS, Gemunu Range, Welisara 

July 4-7: NSSF Open Skeet Championship at CTSC Shooting Range, Payagala 

July 25-28: NSSF Open Trap Championship at CTSC Shooting Range, Payagala 

August 1st Week: NSSF Youth and Junior Air Gun Championship at SLNS, Gemunu Range, Welisara 

August 29-Sept 1: Wayaba and Magnum Open Trap Championship at CTSC Shotgun Range, Payagala 

September 10-20: Navy Open Meet at SLNS, Gemunu Range, Welisara 

October 3-6: NSSF National Skeet Championship at CTSC Shotgun Range, Payagala 

October 24-27: NSSF National Trap Championship at CTSC Shotgun Range, Payagala 

November 1st week: NSSF National Rifle and Pistol Championship at SLNS, Gemunu Range, Welisara 

International Events 

February 8-15: International Shooting Grand Prix in Kuwait 

February 20-28: ISSF Rifle/Pistol World Cup in New Delhi, India 

February 21-March 3: Qatar Open Shotgun Championship, Doha 

March 25-April 2: 12th Asian 10m Championship in Chinese Taipei 

April 5-16: ISSF World Cup Shotgun in Al Ain, UAE 

April 21-29: ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Beijing, China 

May 7-18: ISSF World Cup Shotgun in Changwon, Korea 

May 24-31: ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Munich, Germany 

July 12-20: ISSF Junior World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun in Suhl, Germany 

September 20-30: 9th Asian Shotgun Championship in Kazakhstan 

November 3-11: 14th Asian Championship in Doha, Qatar