Local shooters aim for $.3M

THE TRINIDAD Rifle Association (TRA) officials are poised to mark one of their biggest years with the staging here for the first time of the Copa Del Caribe. And although this tournament is scheduled for November 7 to 14, the TRA are anxious to put everything in place to ensure a successful competition which for the first time will include shooters from outside the Caribbean. The TRA recently unveiled their calendar of events at the shooting range at Tucker Valley, Chaguaramas. At the briefing were Brigadier Joseph Theodore, vice-president of the TRA; Mike Perez, Public Relations Officer; Captain Norris Gomez; Terrance Paty, chairman of Steering Committee; and Clarion Tang Choon, club captain. Brigadier Theodore said it was especially significant that the TRA will be hosting the Copa del Caribe as this year marks the 125th anniversary of their existence.

He said that the reason that the prestigious tournament was not staged here before is the unsuitability of the facilities which are not up to international standards. “We are embarking on a fund-raising effort to renovate and equip the Tucker Valley Range which will enable us to accommodate the shooters coming here for the Copa,” said Brigadier Theodore. The former Minister of National Security in the United National Congress (UNC) Administration underlined the need to sensitise the population on the importance of staging the shoot which he said will contribute greatly to its success and the development of the sport locally. He said the TRA have suffered over the years for lack of sponsorship since shooting is not a spectator sport. He held out hope however that with the acquisition of up-to-date electronic systems, fans will be able to follow the sport more closely and gain a better understanding of its complexities.

Steering Committee chairman Paty revealed that approximately $300,000 is needed to bring the Tucker Valley Range up to international standards. He said security walls have to be erected, shooting windows put in place, target mechanisms installed, new firing points established while others need to be extended, better lighting must be  provided in the air-rifle gallery and a bleacher for spectators built. “We will also have to extend the shed at the 900-yard rifle range and cover other firing points on the range,” said Paty. He said the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs will be approached to assist in the project while private enterprise are expected to chip in also. He said insurance companies  TATIL, and Colonial Life as well as Carib Beer have been assisting the TRA and they are counting on their continued support especially this anniversary year.

Captain Gomez, president of the West Indies Full Bore Shooting Council and TT’s top marksman described as “pathetic” the absence of a 1,000-yard shooting range here. He said overseas most ranges are owned and maintained by the military and as a result their shooters are at a distinctive advantage benefiting from superior facilities. He said for this year’s Copa, marksmen will be coming from Ireland, England, Canada, Australia, and Central and South America. Captain Gomez said the Copa was first contested as the Anchor Cup in 1928 and was sponsored by the West Indian Tobacco Company (WITCO). However it is now known as the BWIA Cup and sponsored by the national airline.

Also addressing the launch of the calendar on Wednesday were other TRA officials David Deane, vice-captain, Target pistol team; Savita Beatrice, vice-captain, Air Pistol team; Lance Ward and Robert Couri. PRO Perez said the shooting “season” bangs off on April 25 with a fund-raiser described as a day of fun for members, their family and friends. Competition begins in earnest with the Trap and Skeet Caribbean Inter-Club Pigeon Clay Shoot from May 12 to 16. This will be followed by the National Small bore Championships from July 5 to 11. Next is the TTOC Affiliate day September 12, a familiarisation/orientation day for affiliate members of the TT Olympic Committee to learn about the shooting discipline. On September 25 and 26 there will be a Cadets Meeting which will be the major local shooting meeting of the year. Then from October 3 to 10 an International Full Bore meeting will be held followed by the big Copa del Caribe (Small Bore) from November 7 to 14.