02 Jul 2019

Botswana Defence Force (BDF) three Brigade Group are winners of this year’s Inter-formation Shooting Competition.

The competition, meant to sharpen the BDF members’ firing skills, took place from June 24 to 28.

Speaking during the closing ceremony held at the Eastern Military Garrison recently, Brigadier Hendrik Rakgantshwana commended the champions of the shooting competition.

He said firing was an important component of combat and core in the military career.

This year’s competition brought together eight formations to Selebi Phikwe with the aim to promote Espirit De Corps, among other formations.

Brigadier Rakgantshwana said the competition demanded a high level of range discipline, the absence of which could result in injuries or fatalities.

He said the competition required precision firing, which would in turn lead to combat efficiency, also a pre-requisite for overcoming modern warfare challenges.

He said combat efficiency of the BDF was of paramount importance in the defense of the country, especially against modern warfare tactics employed by terrorists and poachers.

“All competitors displayed very high standard of sportsmanship, physical fitness and determination to give their best,” he said. 

The competitors were tested on the use of three riffles, AK 47, FN Riffle and Pistol at various and different ranges.

Private Bonolo Moatshe of three Brigade Group scooped the Best Female Firer Award. 

The participants also raised funds from which they bought blankets and toiletries for 25 beneficiaries. 

Brigadier Rakgantshwana said corporate social responsibility remained one of the priorities of the commander of the BDF and thanked them for giving back to the community of Selebi Phikwe and surrounding villages.

For his part, the coordinator of the Inter-formation Shooting Competition, Lt Col Modiri Thembo stated that the annual competition had been in existence for many years. 

He said each team fielded 20 competitors plus eight reserves, making 28 competitors per team.

In order to give the competition a semblance of realism, he said a rundown system was adopted, which was basically a fire and maneuver approach racing against time for rifles. 

Fires started at 400m and ran to 300m, where they adopted firing position and open fire.

He said the same practice continued down the range until they reached 100m range, adding that the run and firing must be concluded in 60 seconds. Ends