Federal advisor Martin Pfister was the guest of honor Sunday of the 3rd day of the federal youth shooting celebration organized in the Chablais. In St-Triphon (VD), the Zugois praised the virtues of sports shooting and responded to certain criticisms.
Under the fire of the reproaches since the announcement of the confederation’s desire to reduce youth and sport subsidies by 20%, from 2026, the head of the Federal Department of Defense, the Protection of the Population and Sports (DDPS) said “wanting to find a solution, this fall again, while taking into account budgetary issues. We will discuss it with Parliament.”
The idea of a crowdfunding campaign launched, in particular, by former international fencer Fabien Kauter did not leave insensitive Martin Pfister. “I have a lot of esteem for this initiative,” said Zugois. “It is an excellent sign if private private people start to look for money to invest in sport. However, youth and sport (note: including its funding) must remain a prerogative of the Confederation. It is a structure that has been successful for more than 50 years,”
Good gun
In Saint-Triphon, Sunday morning, Martin Pfister also plunged into his memories. During his military career, the ex-colonel had the opportunity to frequent on the old arms squares of Saint-Maurice (VS) and Bretaye, also in the town of Ollon (VD). “I was a good pistol shooter, less with the assault rifle,” he recalls.
The federal youth shooting feast experienced its first edition in 1998 in Villeneuve, another Chablaisian town. The demonstration was then called federal shot for young people. The last festivals took place in Ticino in 2007, in Glaris in 2011, in Berne in 2014 and in Frauenfeld in 2019.
First bicantonal
This year’s meeting is organized jointly by two cantonal fire federations -a first -, the Vaudoise and Valaisanne. Several stands have been requisitioned for the occasion, that is those of Ollon (VD), a real heart of the event, Port-Valais, Saint-Maurice, Val-d’Illiez and Vérossaz, all located in Valais.
The event is open to young shooters aged between 10 and 20 years. They are 3000 to compete this year. They will compete in different disciplines: rifle shooting at 300 meters, the Rifle Olympic distances (50 m and 10 m) and the pistol (25 m and 10 m). After a first weekend of competition, the federal party will continue on August 15, 16 and 17, in the same places.
In the future(s) Audrey Gogniat?
The best shooters will be able to dream of becoming the successors of the Swiss Olympic medalists in the discipline in Paris, in 2024, like the Argovienne Chiara Leone (gold in the rifle 50 meters with 3 positions) or the Jurasian Audrey Gogniat (3rd in the rifle at 10 meters).
“The shooting prepares young people to the military service and to serve our country,” said federal adviser Martin Pfister. “A federal celebration is a national unity meeting and demonstrates the desire of these shooters to want to work, commit to Switzerland and live together. All in a spirit of good camaraderie.”
This article was published automatically. Source: ATS