Here is a press release from Digweed’s media officials. He makes some Interesting, possibly inflammatory comments on the state of sporting clays in Europe.
DIGWEED IMPRESSED BY LATVIAN SHOOTING SET UP
- George praises innovation and professionalism -George Digweed believes the shooting facilities in Latvia are among the best in the world and that Britain is lagging behind Eastern Europe in the development of the sport.
The Sussex-based shooter was at the country’s Viesaki shooting range last weekend for the latest stage in the World Cup: the Latvian Grand Prix.
He took gold with a total score of 184, edging out his nearest competitor by six clays, and came away full of praise for Viesaki’s innovation and professional organisation.
Speaking on www.georgedigweed.com, he explained: "The ground is privately-owned, but it’s leased to the Latvian Federation, and I would say that it’s probably one of the best-equipped, if not the best-equipped, facilities anywhere in the world.
"They’ve got eight separate FITASC layouts and eight separate COMPAK layouts, all with a large selection of traps on each stand. The whole thing is very professional and they think of new innovations.
"One of the innovations is a tower they’ve built, which has three or four flights of stairs, ten yards apart. You’re probably forty or fifty yards up in the air, you walk up to the top of the tower and shoot down on the targets.
"So that’s very innovative with regards to how you see target presentations. It’s a very efficient, very well-run shoot."
George has previously praised advancements in the sport in Russia, and he has called upon Western Europe to keep the pace with their Eastern neighbours.
"I think that the majority of Westernised Europe has sat on its heels for a long period," he continued. "Eastern bloc countries are now getting heavily involved in the shooting disciplines, and they are pushing forward and aspiring to do bigger and better things and that definitely shows.
"I think that Westernised Europe is being left behind a little bit, and the emerging countries are pushing forward. Countries like England, France and Belgium are remaining fairly staid and their shooting or their shooters are probably not going to improve the way they do things.”
George also believes there’s a lack of winning mentality, along with a bad attitude to success, which plagues Britain when it comes to sport.
In the wake of England’s disappointing exit from the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, George added: "There’s been a big drive over the last 10-15 years to make everybody equal and take the competition side out of all school sports.
"There’s no winners – it’s the taking part that counts. Well for me, that’s rubbish. At the end of the day, you’ve got to have winners in everything.
"Also, if you go to America and you’re a winner, you’re a local, regional and national hero. Over here, as soon as you get to the winning scenario, everyone’s there to take a pot-shot at you."
George is next in action in the World English Sporting Championships at Lakenheath in Suffolk.
Visit George Digweed’s official website www.georgedigweed.com for news updates.
- Ends -
Interesting right? George has previously said that he believes Eastern Europe has a vast untapped potential for sporting clays growth. That is certainly true, discretionary income is increasing as investment flows in to those regions creating jobs that pay well.
What say you? Do you agree or disagree with Digweed’s statements? Post a comment and discuss below!
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