Country’s best shooters to head to Komatipoort

A total of 400 of the best national and international practical shooting competitors will showcase their skills in Komatipoort for the SA Practical Shooting Association Handgun National Championship from Thursday to Sunday (July 7 to 10).

Practical shooting consists of competitors aiming to score as many points as possible during the shortest (or allotted) time. Competitors compete individually in obstacle-course-like stages where they move around and shoot at several targets (some moving).

This is the first time the championships will be held in the province and the Mpumalanga Practical Shooting Association (MPSA) is determined to make it one to remember.

The match, which will be held on the Elsjan Shooting Ranges, will comprise 17 separate stages, closely monitored by 60 match officials. Organisers are expecting around 360 South African competitors and a number of others from around the world, as well as a crowd of supporters and spectators due to the school holidays.

The championships will also be a selection match for the top SA shooters, who aim to represent the country at next year’s World Shoot in France.

The organisers have decided that the theme of the match will reflect the natural beauty of the Lowveld and hope to raise awareness on nature, conservation and anti-poaching efforts. SANParks Honorary Rangers will attend the championships and raise funds for the anti-poaching canine unit in the Kruger National Park.

Spectators are welcome to come and watch this action-packed sport. No entrance fee will be charged, but people are urged to support the honorary rangers, who will supply refreshments to everyone on the shooting range and will do fund-raising.

As safety is a major priority, spectators are required to bring along eye and ear protection like safety glasses and earplugs.

The organisers would like to make this event a great success and need generous sponsorships and donations to do so.

Due to the number of steel targets that they will use for the match, some of the supplies they need are:

• Twenty litres white PVA paint

• Ten litres black PVA paint

• Thirty paintbrushes (± two to three centimetres)

• Thirty paintbrushes (± seven centimetres).

They are also in need of bottled water for the range officers for the duration of the championship.

For more information, visit MPSA’s website, contact Gideon Botha on 076-753-5003 or gideon.botha31@gmail.com or Willem van der Bank on 082-903-5343.