Jamaica’s rifle shooters have opted out of the West Indies Fullbore shooting championships which got underway yesterday at the Paragon ranges in Barbados.
An attempt by Stabroek Sports to secure an official comment on the Jamaicans “no show” at the regional championships yesterday proved futile.
One source disclosed that the wife of a prominent member of the Jamaica rifle team was murdered last week and that has resulted in the team’s withdrawal.
However, the current unrest in Jamaica’s capital which has so far left 26 people dead according to police figures could also have also been one of the reasons for the team opting out of the prestigious championships.
Police and military personnel continue to battle gunmen in the Jamaica’s capital, Kingston in an attempt to arrest alleged drug kingpin Christopher “Dudus” Coke who is facing extradition to the United States on drugs and arms trafficking charges.
The current Digicel cricket matches between West Indies and South Africa scheduled for Sabina Park in Jamaica is also under threat of being affect by the standoff.
The regional shooting championships will now be contested by Antigua/Barbuda, Bermuda, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and hosts Barbados whose flags were hoisted yesterday at the opening ceremony with Jamaica’s a regular participant noticeably absent.
The Jamaicans have been regular participants in the regional championships and last hosted the event three years ago.
The championships fired off yesterday with three days of individual competition.
The two team matches for the regional long and short range titles will take place on Saturday with Guyana defending both titles.
The long range title will be shot at 900 and 1000 yard ranges while teams will battle over 300, 500 and 600 yards in the short range match.
Guyana is represented by a 14-man team under the captaincy of Mahendra Persaud with ACP Paul Slowe serving as shooter/manager.
No results were available up to press time.
