ISSF strengthens referee education with shotgun course in Bangkok

Held from 29 June to 3 July 2026 at the Skeet and Trap Shooting Association of Thailand, the course has welcomed 13 Thai referees, including nine men and four women, who are expanding their knowledge of ISSF shotgun rules, competition procedures and officiating standards.

The programme is led by Mohamed Wahdan (Egypt) as Course Instructor, with Bunnag Bhattakarka (Thailand) serving as Assistant Instructor. Throughout the week, participants are taking part in a comprehensive curriculum that combines classroom sessions with practical exercises at the range.

The course covers every aspect of shotgun refereeing, including the duties and responsibilities of referees and assistant referees, competition management, safety procedures, scoring systems, equipment control, finals operations, mixed team events, protests and appeals, as well as the latest ISSF rules and competition formats. Participants also complete technical assessments and practical training before undertaking a final examination on the concluding day of the course.

The final day includes practical sessions on both Trap and Skeet final ranges, followed by the final test and the diploma ceremony, marking the successful completion of the programme.

Education remains one of the ISSF's strategic priorities, with referee, coach and judge courses playing a vital role in maintaining the highest standards of officiating across international shooting sport. By investing in the development of technical officials, the ISSF continues to strengthen the quality, consistency and integrity of competitions around the world.