NSSF Trap Open Meet from 21 June

The NSSF Trap Open Meet 2018, organised and conducted by the National Shooting Sports Federation of Sri Lanka (NSSF), will be held from 21-24 June at the National Shotgun Range in Payagala, Kalutara. 

Almost all affiliated clubs of the NSSF have confirmed their participation this year after the recent success of the NSSF Skeet Open Meet 2018 held last month. The upcoming three-day meet will be treated as a trial event for future international events, according to NSSF General Secretary Pradeep Edirisinghe.

“Applications for the meet were received till yesterday and so far the interest among shotgun shooters has improved according to the numbers,” Edirisinghe stated. 

A challenge trophy, gold medals and certificates will be awarded to the winners while the remaining finishers among the top three are guaranteed silver and bronze medals as well as certificates in individual events. Team event winners will receive a challenge trophy in addition to gold medals and certificates while silver and bronze medals and certificates will be presented to those who finish in second and third places respectively. 

“12 gauge firearms will be allowed at the meet and will be restricted to Over and Under, Side by side and Semi-Automatic and are to be held as per the latest ISSF rules and regulations,” Edirisinghe added. 

The NSSF Skeet Open Meet 2018 was held successfully at the National Shotgun Range in Payagala from 18-20 May where shooters representing Sri Lanka Air Force dominated but Shankar Dharmaratne claimed the overall championship. 

Dharmaratne, representing the Clay Target Shooting Sports Club (CTSSC), won the gold medal after becoming the overall champion in the Men’s category, while Airwoman Deepani Mudunkoth won the overall title in the Women’s segment. 

Prasad Madushaka (Air Force), Sandakelum Ranasinghe (Air Force), Shirantha Peries (CTSSC), Nishantha Wijekoon and Shehan Patterson (CTSSC) finished behind Dharmaratne in the Men’s category. Air Force’s shooters made a clean sweep in the Women’s Open with Mudunkoth, Shiroma Priyadarshani and Tharushi Mekhala finishing one after another.  

Shirantha Peries of CTSSC won the Masters’ Open category ahead of Dallas Martenstyn of the Negombo Rifle Club and Wimalaratne Rangala of the Hill Country Shooting Club.