Lots of airsoft events have been affected this year with some being moved to the latter part of 2020 while others cancelled their events this year and decided to focus on 2021 events, writing off 2020 as a goner for their plans as well as revenues. With events for this year slated for the next it snowballs into events scheduled for 2021 being moved to 2022. Such is the effect on the biggest event in Action Air/Airsoft Practical Shooting that the officials of the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC), decided to move to 20202 amongst other events that are also postponed.

In a message from IPSC President, Vitaly Kryuchin, the scheduled events for 2020 have been moved with the agreement of IPSC Regional Directors as well as the hosts. Even if the Covid-19 pandemic suddenly ends today, there is not enough time for organizers to prepare for events scheduled for 2020. Even expected shooters for the events will need time to prepare for these which means a lot of practice at the range given that they lost days in practicing at the range given the lockdowns imposed by countries to control the spread of the coronavirus.

IPSC President Vitaly Kryuchin (Photo Credit: IPSC)

The Action Air World Shoot 2021 is slated to be held in Sochi, Russia and it is the second World Shoot after the inaugural Action Air World Shoot that took place in Hong Kong in 2018.  As mentioned, it is now scheduled to take place in 2022 but no definite dates have been set.  

While practicing may not be a big issue for Action Air shooters who can do practice in their own homes during lockdowns, the logistics of organizing for the World Shoot is another matter. Potential sponsors may not be ready given the downturn in business as global trading grinded to a halt with the exception of essential industries and services, and they will have to recover lost business first before they are ready. Another is that venue may not be ready yet even after the pandemic is over as there will be preparations to ensure that infrastructure will be ready to accommodate shooters.

This means a longer time to prepare for the Action Air shooters who are planning to join the second World Shoot. But there will be international tournaments that they can attend as they prepare for it that will be held such as the Airsoft Surgeon Championships or the Dutch Open International Airsoft Practical Shooting evens that are held annually.

Official message from IPSC President below:

Dear Regional Directors, Athletes, Instructors, Trainers and Range Officers,
Dear Partners, Sponsors, Patrons and all the IPSC Officials,

I would like to inform you about the decision of the IPSC Executive Council to make a change in the IPSC Calendar for 2020-2022 years. These changes were approved at today’s meeting according to the majority vote of the IPSC Regional Directors with the request and consent of the host Regions.

1. Handgun World Shoot XIX and General Assembly 2020, Pattaya, Thailand postponed to November/December 2021.
2. Shotgun World Shoot IV 2021, Pattaya, Thailand postponed to November/December 2022.
3. Action Air World Shoot II 2021 is postponed to 2022. The date will be announced later.
4. PCC World Shoot 2021 is postponed to 2022. The date will be announced later.

IPSC is monitoring the situation and we are following the recommendations provided by the World Health Organization, the GAISF, and other leading health and sports authorities around the world. We are also fully aware of the recommendations on travel and restrictions imposed by airline companies and Governments.

Stay Safe!

DVC

Vitaly Kryuchin
IPSC President