ESC as the real center of sport innovations for safe future

Held alongside the U23 European Championship, the ESC Open Table “From data to action – building the future of European Shooting” served as a continental platform where every federation has a direct say in shaping the sport's growth.

Proposed by ESC Presidium Member and Romanian Shooting Federation President Lucia Mihalache, the session brought together federation leaders from Slovakia, the Netherlands, Czechia, Ireland, Moldova, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, and Slovenia.



As part of the ongoing implementation of the ESC Grant Programme, a commission formed by Presidium members developed a questionnaire, collecting feedback from half of all member federations about their equipment, infrastructure, and main difficulties. These initial findings helped federations discuss grant criteria and target support where it is needed most.

Building on this, ESC Presidium Member Mr Egbert IJzerman presented a concept on how modern infrastructure can help member federations attract industry partners and establish long-term commercial cooperation. To structure these efforts, the ESC will finalize the European Shooting Infrastructure Map by the end of the year, which will guide the Confederation's leadership in driving sport development and long-term planning.

Rather than a series of formal presentations, the session evolved into a direct, participant-driven debate. When Ms Ingrid Sindlerová, Secretary General of the Slovak Shooting Federation, raised the crucial challenge of youth recruitment, it sparked a broader discussion on the realities facing national programs. Delegates shared proven school-outreach models, while Mr Constantin David, Secretary General of the National Shooting Sport Federation of the Republic of Moldova, underscored that high public interest is often constrained by structural limits, such as a severe shortage of coaches, rather than a lack of demand.

Turning to governance, ESC Honorary Member Mr Yair Davidovich addressed future relations between the ESC and the ISSF, emphasizing Europe’s role as the primary driver of global innovations, from Mixed Team formats to modern broadcasting.

Mr David also brought urgent legislative barriers to the floor, detailing how misaligned EU firearms directives misclassify sport rifles and pistols as military equipment. These administrative hurdles freeze donations, block essential gear imports, and directly hamper athlete development. In response, the ESC committed to forming a dedicated working group to advocate on this issue at the European level. Furthermore, Ms Mihalache and Ms Fairclough proposed that, once Moldova successfully resolves this case, its outcome should serve as a blueprint for other federations facing similar challenges.

By converting member feedback into concrete continental policy, the ESC continues to prove that real strength comes from collaborating and moving forward as one unified European shooting community.

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