The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) has officially removed four disciplines previously recognized under the Italian Federation of Sporting Arms Disciplines and Cinophilia (Fidasc) from its official list of recognized sports, with the changes set to capture effect on January 1, 2027.
According to the fifth point of the document summarizing the 313th National Council meeting held at the Foro Italico under the presidency of Luciano Buonfiglio, CONI has eliminated the following four Fidasc disciplines: smoothbore rifle shooting with ball ammunition, archery hunting, hunting rifle shooting with carbine (both with and without optics), and hunting-style shotgun shooting in the form of a hunting course.
The decision marks the end of an era for Fidasc, as noted in reporting by Armi Magazine, which stated that “for Fidasc, 2026 will close an era” due to the upcoming removal. The changes were confirmed through official CONI documentation reviewed by the publication.
Fidasc, the Italian Federation for Sporting Arms Disciplines and Cinophilia, oversees various hunting and shooting sports disciplines in Italy. The organization maintains an official website detailing its events, programs, and regulatory documents.
This move follows previous controversies between Fidasc and the Italian Federation of Target Shooting (Fitav), particularly regarding jurisdiction over shooting events involving hunting carbines. In September 2021, Fidasc requested CONI’s intervention after Fitav organized competitions in disciplines Fidasc considered its own, including the Gran Premio Integrale and the 1° Gran Premio scheduled for Basilicata.
At that time, Fidasc expressed concern that history might repeat itself, referencing how combined hunting shooting — a discipline it had developed internationally — had previously been transferred to Fitav’s oversight. The organization urged CONI to establish a clear protocol to prevent future disputes over competency boundaries.
The removal of these four disciplines from CONI’s recognized list will have significant implications for athletes, coaches, and event organizers involved in these shooting sports. Without CONI recognition, these disciplines may lose access to certain funding, official sanctioning, and pathways to national team representation or participation in multi-sport events governed by the Olympic committee structure.
As of the 2026 season, athletes competing in these disciplines will continue to participate under current regulations, but they face a transition period beginning in 2027 when CONI recognition ceases. The change does not affect the disciplines’ existence or practice within Fidasc’s internal framework but alters their status within Italy’s broader sports governance system.
CONI’s decision reflects ongoing efforts to clarify and streamline the recognition of sports disciplines across Italy’s sporting federations. The organization periodically reviews its list of recognized sports to ensure alignment with strategic priorities, governance standards, and international federation guidelines.
For participants in the affected disciplines, the coming year will be critical for adapting to the recent reality. National championships, ranking systems, and athlete development programs may require restructuring as the January 2027 deadline approaches.
The action underscores the dynamic nature of sports governance in Italy, where administrative decisions by national bodies like CONI can significantly reshape the competitive landscape for niche but historically significant sporting disciplines.
As the 2027 implementation date nears, stakeholders in the hunting and shooting sports community will be watching for further guidance from both CONI and Fidasc regarding transition plans, potential alternative pathways for athlete recognition, and any possible appeals or revisions to the current decision.
For now, the focus remains on completing the 2026 competitive season under existing rules, with the knowledge that a fundamental shift in official recognition is on the horizon for these four traditional hunting-based shooting disciplines.
Archysport will continue to monitor developments related to this story and provide updates as official information becomes available from CONI, Fidasc, or other authorized sources.
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