Official Notice: SATRF Governance Clarification
Communiqué — The South African Target Rifle Federation (“SATRF”)
Dear Members of the Public
It has come to the attention of the Committee of the South African Target Rifle Federation (“SATRF”), that the general public may be receiving inaccurate information with respect to the appropriate governing bodies that regulate rifle shooting sport events, governed by the International Shooting Sports Federation (and concomitantly the International Olympic Committee) within the Republic of South Africa.
The purpose of this communique is to clarify matters.
Important
This notice is provided for public clarity. Where any uncertainty exists, members should rely on written confirmation from SATRF and the relevant recognised national sport structures.
Jurisdiction and recognition
- All shooting sports within the Republic of South Africa fall under the jurisdiction of the South African Shooting Sports Confederation (SASSCo). SASSCo is accordingly recognised by inter alia the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC), and the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) in this regard.
- With respect to the ISSF rifle disciplines in particular, (including the Olympic disciplines) SASSCo ONLY recognises 2 membership bodies, as being in good standing namely:
- a. The South African Air Rifle Association (“SAARA”) which has jurisdiction over all ISSF events utilising an air rifle and,
- b. The South African Target Rifle Federation for all other ISSF disciplines including but not limited to:
- The 50-meter 3 position event (the sole non air rifle Olympic event)
- The 50-meter prone event
- The 300-meter 3 position event
- The 300-meter prone event
- The 300-meter standard rifle open event
- No other organisation in South Africa may in any way hold out or claim any official jurisdiction with respect to these disciplines.
Eligibility
With respect to the South African Target Rifle Federation ONLY members in good standing with the Federation are eligible to:
- Represent South Africa in any event held under the jurisdiction of the ISSF or related body, including the Olympic Games, (excluding Air Rifle events), in any capacity as an athlete, coach or team official.
- Obtain official accreditation from the ISSF as a technical officer or coach (unless obtained via SAARA).
Membership
Membership of SATRF include entities and persons that are provinces (being one of the 9 geographic provinces of South Africa), districts, associations, clubs and natural persons.
Any entity, or persons claiming to have any jurisdiction (or purporting to be obtaining recognition) in the disciplines mentioned above other than SATRF are to be dismissed as baseless and ignored.
Please note that the above only applies to the events or disciplines under the jurisdiction of SATRF, for all other disciplines members of the public are advised to contact SASSCo who will advise the member of the public as to which SASSCo organisation regulates their discipline.
We trust the above clarifies the situation and wish all shooting sports participants and supporters the very best for 2026.
Signed communiqué (original)
Page 1 of 2
Page 2 of 2 — signature
J. Steyn
President
The South African Target Rifle Federation
By order of:
The committee of SATRF