Women Trap Shooting Team launched
Chairman of the Police Sports Council, Assistant Commissioner Mr Mike Dowie, attended a ceremony organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation in conjunction with the Hong Kong Shooting Association (HKSA) on January 26 at the Hong Kong Jockey Club to announce the establishment of the Hong Kong Women Trap Shooting Team. Members of the team comprise 11 regular and auxiliary women officers from Kowloon East Emergency Unit, Security Wing, New Territories North Regional Headquarters, Sau Mau Ping Division, New Territories South Emergency Unit, Wan Chai Division, Tuen Mun Division, Mass Transit Railway District, Police Public Relations Branch and a civilian from the Establishment and Civilian Staff Relations Division.
The HKSA selected shooters from the Police Shooting Club for their renowned skills, discipline, dedication and commitment to form a trap shooting team with the aim of training the team to represent Hong Kong in international trap shooting competitions organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation. Formation of the Hong Kong team is sponsored by the Hong Kong Sports Development Board and the HKSA.
The sport of trap shooting is uncommon in Hong Kong but is widely promoted in Europe and North America, with over eight million shooters enjoying this challenging sport around the world. The 'Hopes of Hong Kong' will primarily be trained to compete in Double Trap events.
The team co-ordinator, Secretary General of the Asian Clay Target Shooting Federation, Mr Cheng Shu-ming, has planned a one-year intensive training programme for the team. "There is ample potential for Hong Kong to develop a world class women double trap shooting team. Our aim is high," said Mr Cheng.
The team members will be undergoing an intensive training programme under the coaching of a former China National Team member and the incumbent trainer for the Guangdong Provincial team. The programme requires weekend training camps every fortnight in a National Trap Shooting Centre in Dongguan. The first training camp was held early in February. Despite the rigorous physical and mental training over the two days, the team showed strong team spirit, dedication and synergy during the training.
The team may be able to test their skills at the forthcoming East Asian Games and Asian Games. After attaining success in the Southeast Asian Region, the team will take up further challenges in other international competitions with the possibility of reaching Olympic standards.
Developing a world-class team