The firing ranges of the Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown in Ft. Bonifacio have been closed to civilians during the lockdowns.
Because of this, the ongoing training and preparations of the Philippine shooting team for the coming Southeast Asian Games have been done elsewhere.
That is why members of the national squad are doing their firing sessions inside their backyards.
Philippine National Shooting Association board member Ronald Hejastro said this as he explained how national team members of different disciplines are staying in shape for the 2021 SEA Games.
“After the SEA Games, medyo natigil ang mga activities due to this pandemic,” said Hejastro.
Practices in their shooters’ respective residences have been encouraged by the PNSA.
Officials said they can’t do it as a group since the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases have not yet given the go signal for physical training in gymnasiums and in designated areas.
He said there are 23 national athletes, who need to go into firing sessions in order to stay sharp and in shape.
“There are 23 athletes for shooting. Some of us have our own backyard airgun range, so kahit papano nakaka-shoot,” said Hejastro.
Others have gone online and sought virtual consultations with the national coaches.
“‘Yung wala, daily dry firing techniques. Tapos most of us online training/meeting by groups kasi we have many disciplines, around 30 at iba-iba ang turo,” he went on.
He said talks on technical matters and techniques did not stop even in lockdown.
“We discuss online on how we could improve on our ammo selection, how to have better compensators, scopes and stuff. There is so much to learn,” said Hejastro.