Impressed by the competitions and the athletes, as well as by the National Shooting Range of Chania, the secretary of the World Shooting Federation stated, Willi Grill, who has been in Chania for two days. In his statements, Mr. Grill said… “Really, the level of the competitions is excellent. The space here is amazing, but even more can be done, in order to host even bigger competitions. A fourth shooting range needs to be built and then Chania will be able to organize even a World Cup. This can be done. Also, the electronic calibration system needs to be installed on the fixed target and at 25 m. It is very important that a sports infrastructure is completely modernized.” Responding to the question about the benefits of a world-class competition that could be held in Chania if the shooting range is expanded, Mr. Grill was clear... "The benefits will be multiple for the city of Chania, because these competitions are usually held in "dead" tourist months. Combined with the fact that the airport is very close to the shooting range and there are hotel infrastructures in the wider area, you understand what this can mean for your city."
The president of the Greek Shooting Federation was completely satisfied with the level of the “Battle of Crete – Stelios Karampinakis” competitions, Thanasis Papageorgiou, who in his statements emphasized... "The level of the competitions is excellent and gets better every year. But there have also been very significant improvements in the facility and I think that here in Chania we have perhaps the most beautiful shooting range in Greece." Asked about the creation of a fourth shooting range, Mr. Papageorgiou said… "I think that an effort should be made to build the fourth shooting range, so that Chania can host world-class competitions. We, as a Federation, will do everything possible on our part to ensure that the General Secretariat proceeds with the required procedures."
“Every year the event gets better and better. This year we have over 100 athletes, most of them top class. As for the facility, significant improvements have been made. We can do a lot more together. What is certain is that shooting is on the rise,” the Federal Technician emphasized, George Salavantakis, who did not fail to mention young children, asking for greater promotion of the sport, so that they can go to the shooting range and find new talents.
“We are trying our best with the strength we have. Indeed, the shooting range has changed for the better. So has the organization, with the participation of many good athletes. We are here and with the help of the General Secretariat of Sports, we are making every effort so that the facilities of the EAK Chania are constantly improved and can host important events”, pointed out the president of the Board of Directors of the Chania Regional Public Administration, Takis Svourakis.
“The level of the competition is very strong. The Greek team is very good and coach Salavantakis has done an excellent job. The level is amazing and… yes, the facility is very good and the space is perfect for athletes who shoot long distances, because it is not difficult to shoot in the air and the visibility is very good”, noted the third Olympic champion of Beijing, Anthony Terras.
"It's a very good event, with many participants from abroad, which means that shooting is going very well," noted, among other things, Nikos Mavrommatis, member of our National Team, second in the world with Greece in Azerbaijan a few months ago.
Clearly satisfied Eleni Karampinaki, who emphasized that the vision of Stelios, who passed away so unjustly, is being tried to become a reality every year, better and better.
The person responsible for the shooting range from the administration of the Chania Sports and Recreation Center spoke about the changes to the shooting range, as well as the prospects that will be created with the fourth shooting range, so that World Cup-level matches can be organized, as well as a broad field for the development of sports tourism. Vangelis Lampakis.
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