The Isle of Man Target Shooting Federation has challenged the omission of shooting from the 2029 Island Games.
The recent announcement of sports included in the 2029 Island Games, to be held on the Isle of Man, produced ripples of disappointment throughout the Isle of Man Target Shooting community when the sport was excluded from the event. Manx target shooting athletes have brought home more than 180 medals at the Island Games since its inception in 1985, and target shooting is also responsible for half of the Isle of Man’s medals at the Commonwealth Games. The Island has excellent competition facilities which rank amongst the best in the British Isles, four nationally licensed officials and two internationally licensed officials (one of whom headed the Pistol Jury at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics), as well as numerous qualified range conducting officers. Additionally the Island boasts a current World Record holder as well as a current British Record holder, further underpinning the Isle of Man’s strong presence in the sport internationally.
The Isle of Man Target Shooting Federation (IOMTSF) hope to challenge the decision, with the production of a report which details the high impact of Target Shooting within the worldwide Island Games family. Many smaller islands who enter the Island Games have traditionally sent strong target shooting teams, and those Islands may not be in a position to send a team if target shooting is excluded from the event. The Island Games constitution states that participation in international sport is at the heart of the event, and the exclusion of target shooting will actively prevent some smaller Islands from entering their strongest athletes in the Games.
Harry Creevy, Chair of the IOMTSF and 8-times Commonwealth Games athlete for the IoM, said: “It was extremely disappointing to find out that our sport was not going to be included in the 2029 Island Games. As one of the strongest Isle of Man sports at Island Games and Commonwealth Games, the impact is being felt throughout the shooting community on the Island. We hope that the decision will be revisited and a compromise found which will enable athletes to compete in the home games.”
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