Clay target shooting  sets big goals
Clay target shooting sets big goals

Clay target shooting sets big goals

THE Clay Target Shooting Association (CTSA) in Namibia was established in 1971 and is affiliated to the Shooting Union of Namibia; a member of the Namibia National Olympic Committee, Namibian Sport Commission and ISSF, the world regulating body in sport shooting.

The disciplines shot under the CTSA of Namibia are Olympic disciplines hosted at the All Africa Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. The CTSA of Namibia hosts five national trials, one national championship and one African Grand Prix every year.

These competitions are of high standard and increasingly popular among its African neighbors. To be part of the Namibian team you have to shoot the same scores as set out by the ISSF – the minimum Olympic qualifying score, which ensures a very high standard nationally.

Currently these competitions can only be hosted at Oropoko Lodge, which has the only range according to international standards in Namibia. Namibia is currently hosting the German national team, training at Oropoko in our summer months. Shotgun shooting is a sport which accommodates people of all ages, from very young to very old.

The oldest competitor for Namibia at a World Cup was this year – Kurt Steinhausen at the age of 72 .

CTSA achievements in Namibia

The shooting sport in Namibia is very successful, with its athletes almost always bringing home medals from international competitions, African Championships and Commonwealth Games. The Association is proud to announce that its woman shooter Gaby Ahrens is currently number 2 in Africa.

She has qualified and will represent Namibia at the Olympic Games in Beijing this year. This is the first time Namibia is represented at clay target shooting at the Olympics. Namibia has been represented at most Commonwealth Games.

Our problem

Namibia has only one range of international standard which is situated at Oropoko Lodge (160 km from Windhoek). This range is privately owned. Athletes have to ask for permission every time they want to practice, which is not always possible. Most shooters are residing in Windhoek, meaning they have to travel to and from Oropoko every time they want to practice.

This amounts to an enormous amount of fuel expenses to each and every athlete. Also this results in not enough training and practice because of the distance. Another problem is the issue of accommodation. Namibia is not able to host big international competitions at Oropoko due to the fact that there is not enough accommodation for visiting teams.

Furthermore the clubs are suffering as shooters don’t participate at club level anymore as there are not ranges of international standard at clubs.

Our solution

The Association finds it therefore totally necessary to supply its athletes with a range of international standard in Windhoek; here most of the top athletes are at home. This would enable them to train more regularly (every day), host big competitions, with enough accommodation available in Windhoek, and introduce newcomers to the sport.

Imagine the improvement of our shooters if they have their own shooting range nearby and can practice everyday – instead of once every two weeks. The sport will grow enormously when it is more accessibly to the public. Africa is home to only four Olympic standard shotgun ranges (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Algeria) which is why this range would be an enormous development to the shooting sport in Namibia.

To build a range in Windhoek would mean more participation at club level, national level and international level.

Our request

Our request is to raise support for funding clay target machines. The Olympic shotgun range would encompass 15 Automated Trap machines, 2 Automated Skeet machines and the Auto Phone Pull systems. According to quotations the costs of these machines add up to N$500 000.

And to build the range (bunkers) would cost another N$100 000. Therefore we are in desperate need of N$600 000. We would build this range in Windhoek at the NDF’s area at Luiperds Valley, to use for all athletes and members everyday and corporate days for companies interested.

Currently

We are currently busy organizing raffle tickets, donation boxes, an auction evening, corporate shooting days and the organizing of a fund raising golf day. Another approach is to ask individuals or companies to sponsor one machine (value N$25 000).

Our offer

We will offer sponsors in return the advertising space associated with competitions hosted by clay target shooting in Namibia. Sponsors of a machine would have your name or companies name engraved on a gold plate which will be placed beneath the machine as well as in the club house. Every little bit of help is appreciated! For enquiries, the CTSA president, Mr Hasso Ahrens, can be called at 061 234601.

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Republikein 2024-11-23

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