NSAM want more Olympic shooting events at Manila Games

PETALING JAYA: The National Shooting Association of Malaysia (NSAM) have requested for more Olympic events in the shooting competition at the Philippines SEA Games next year.

NSAM executive secretary Hayati Shamsuri said only two Olympic events - skeet and trap - were among the 10 listed for the Games.

“We’ve sent a request to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to add more shooting events, especially Olympic events in the Games,” said Hayati.

“We hope the organisers will add more Olympic events such as air pistol and air rifle.

Hayati said if there were less Olympic events for shooting, the budget from the National Sports Council (NSC) will be slashed.

“For now, we’ve to wait and see if they are adding more events. It is better to add more to add credibility to the Games.”

If the additional events are not included, shooters such as Mohamad Lutfi Othman, Nur Izazi Rosli (air rifle); Johnathan Wong, Joseline Cheah (air pistol); and Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan (pic) (rapid fire pistol) will not be able to participate.

Hayati said the shooters for the SEA Games would be selected based on their form in local and international tournaments.

The first international tournament next year will be the World Cup in New Delhi, India, while the first local tournament will be the President Ally T.H. Ong Trophy.

“We will be looking at these tournaments for potential shooters. Local competitions will be the main focus for our assessment.