JAMAICA’S International Grand Masters Ronald Brown Jnr and Lesgar Murdock will be joined by their American colleagues Chris Tiley and J J Racaza as the Jamaica Rifle Association (JRA) hosts the inaugural staging of the JRA/NCB Jamaica Invitational Pistol Tournament next week Saturday at the JRA range.

The event is being supported by title sponsor National Commercial Bank (NCB), the Spanish Court Hotel, Jamaica Freight and Shipping Company Limited.

The tournament, which will be a practical shooting event as opposed to precision shooting event, is expected to attract approximately 50 participants from across the island to compete in eight courses of fire.

Practical shooting involves the shooter given a scenario where he is expected to shoot quickly, accurately and with the most powerful weapon.

The day’s activity, which begins with an opening shot at 8:15 am and ends at 4:30 pm, will include a brief opening ceremony and medal presentations after the tournament.

There will be three divisions — production, limited and open — in the junior, ladies, seniors and law enforcement categories.

Meanwhile, the JRA first vice-president Bindley Sangster noted that Jamaica has been absent from the Olympics for many years and it was his administration’s dream to get this particular sporting discipline back at the Olympics level. The JRA has a good history and it wants to return to the glory days he added.

Safety is of paramount importance in this sport and as such on the day of the event the facility will operate as a cold range, where firearms will not be handled anywhere on the compound except in designated safety areas or under the direct supervision of a certified range officer.

Also, all competitors must wear eye and ear protection while on the line. Eye protection is required to be worn by everyone while on the range.