MORE than 100 shooters will face a new challenge at Woodleigh Range in Clarendon today during the NCB Capital Markets Sporting Clays Open, in an effort to align the tournament with international course standards.

Course setter Oneal Brown has introduced a scissors lift that will serve as a tower from which targets at two stations will be thrown.

“This particular equipment, courtesy of Zoukie Trucking, is similar to towers used in the US and UK tournaments and the participants are already excited about this special addition at the event,” said Khaleel Azan, president of Jamaica Skeet Club, who represented the investment house at the recently staged Seminole Cup in Florida.

“The Jamaican contingent represented strongly at the Seminole Cup, and we placed second in medal count behind the US, out of about 11 countries represented at that tournament,” he said, adding that he was elated at the sustained efforts that NCB Capital Markets has provided the sport for the last seven years.

“The similarities between the world of finance and skeet shooting are obvious; precision, control, balance and strategy are key tenets in both activities,” said NCB Capital Markets CEO, Steven Gooden, noting that the move to the new location offers participating clients an enhanced experience.

“NCB Capital Markets is proud to be associated with this lifestyle activity as we are able to engage our clients in an activity of their preference, while building an interest in a growing sport in Jamaica.”

Top shooters Geoffrey Ziadie, who was Jamaica’s lead scorer at Seminole, will compete against fellow colleagues, in-form Bruce Duquesnay, nine-times national champion Ian Banks, the present national champ Shaun Barnes, veteran shooters Errol Ziadie and Peter McConnell to serve up a day of premier sporting clay shooting.

Young shooters Nicholas Chen and Brandon Reid continue their rivalry as the top juniors in an effort to stay ahead of Andrew Azan and a talented group of about 10 14- and 13-year old youngsters.

Females will be represented by recent champion Haley Foreman and a strong group of junior girls Cassandra, Isabelle and Jolie Chin, Alyssia Evans, Sofia Asher, Leah Azan, and Tayla Ziadie.

“Our shooters are in prime form, which will make for very high, friendly competition,” Azan commented.

NCBCM staff members will also be joining in the day’s activities as a special group called the NCB CapFunds Class will feature the skill and dexterity of NCBCM’s Herbert Hall, Garth Pearce, Stanley Thompson and Andre Ho Lung (E class).

Other sponsors on-board are Wisynco/Tru Juice, Jamaica Broilers, Wray and Nephew, ATL Automotive, Zoukie Trucking, AC Delco and Securipro.