Chetcuti for World Cup events in Brazil, Dubai

William Chetcuti will be shooting for more success in next month's World Cup event in Brazil, the Lignano Sabbia d'Oro Junior Championships in October and the Dubai World Cup finals late this year.

The hectic schedule was confirmed this week when officials from the Malta Shooting Federation and the Malta Olympic Committee met to discuss the future of Double Trap shooter Chetcuti following his exploits in Belgrade earlier this month.

In Serbia Chetcuti was twice a silver medal winner - in the European Junior Championship and the high-profile World Cup shoot that was won by the renowned 2004 Olympic Games gold medallist Ahmed Al Maktoum.

In a press conference held immediately after Chetcuti's arrival from Belgrade, the MOC announced that they were studying plans to introduce a new scheme to assist elite athletes.

Chetcuti became the first to benefit from the Outstanding Athlete Scheme as the MOC Executive gave their green light for him to travel to South America next month for the next World Cup event.

The 20-year-old shooter will also participate in the next Junior Championships in Italy and the much-awaited World Cup finals in Dubai, scheduled for November.

"Following William Chetcuti's great achievement in the World Cup Series in Belgrade, where he won the silver medal, and the resolution passed by the MOC Council on July 21, approving the institution of the Outstanding Athlete Scheme, the MOC Executive met the Malta Shooting Federation.

"An interim plan to further improve Chetcuti's chances till the end of the year was discussed and approved," MOC secretary Joe Cassar said in a statement.

Coach Jimmy Bugeja and federation president Saviour Portelli will accompany Chetcuti in all three overseas competitions this year.