Victorian Liquor Licensing late yesterday revealed a bid to serve alcohol at the World Sporting Clay Shooting Championships had been rejected.

The Warrnambool branch of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAA) is hosting more than 600 shooters from across the globe for the event at Laang.

Victoria Police objected to a limited licence, fearing mixing alcohol with guns could lead to a potential deadly cocktail.

The shooting association and South West Coast MP Denis Napthine were yesterday negotiating with government officials to allow alcohol to be served at the competition.

But their efforts may be in vain. A spokeswoman for the Director of Liquor Licensing was blunt in her assessment.

“The applicant has been given every opportunity to put in place appropriate management plans and processes to address the concerns of police and the director,” she said.

“The importance of events to local communities is recognised by the director but the applicant has not satisfied the requirements for holding a safe event under Victoria’s liquor licensing laws.”

The shooting group applied for a limited liquor licence for visiting competitors and officials to celebrate after each day’s shooting at the Laang shooting range.

The event has attracted competitors from 26 countries.

It is considered one tier down from the Olympics.

Field and Game Association of Australia secretary Glen Rider warned Victoria Liquor Licensing’s decision could harm Australia’s reputation.

“No other country in the world is like this. In Europe they have no restrictions,” Mr Rider said.

“It doesn’t matter what good things happen, people will take away the bad memories and not being able to have a drink after a day’s shooting is pathetic.”

Practice began yesterday ahead of the four-day competition, set to start on Thursday. An opening ceremony will be held tomorrow.

Warrnambool SSAA president Stephen Chilton stressed the group would separate shooting and drinking alcohol.

Mr Chilton likened allowing drinking at the event to golfers enjoying a beer at a clubhouse after a tournament.

“We’re not here to get drunk. This is a world championships, we are here to win,” he said.“If you wanted to get silly and get drunk you might as well stay home.

“It (drinking) would only happen at the end of the day when all firearms are put away.”

Mr Chilton remained hopeful a liquor licence would be approved before the competition starts.