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GNRA gears up for busy year
Maintained high degree of success in 2009
By Franklin Wilson
The Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) is anticipating a hectic year with a number of Regional and International competitions on the tables apart from the local scene.
And to ensure their continued dominance at the Regional level the local marksmen have retooled their rifles with new barrels. The rest of the Caribbean will feel the heat when the locals travel to Barbados in May to compete in the West Indies Full Bore Championships (WIFBSC) where the locals will be defending the Long and Short Range titles with a full strength team.
Ryan Sampson
Ransford Goodluck
Just before the WIFBSC in Barbados, Guyana will be sending a representative team to the inaugural Goodwill Shooting Championships in Antigua and Barbuda while the GNRA will also be sending a 4-man team to the Imperial Meet set for England in July. The final overseas competition for the year will be the Commonwealth Games in October and this would be followed by the National Full Bore Championships at the Timehri Rifle Ranges.
Hand Gun Section
This section of the GNRA referred to as the Small Bore (handgun) section, hosted a number of successful competitions locally. With regard to regional competitions, they have not been able to compete – their biggest challenge being finances. But efforts are being made to ensure that that situation is reversed in 2010.
While the team has not traveled, leading Hand Gun shooter Murtland Smith has been excelling at competitions in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and St. Lucia.
Paint Ball Shooting
This is an area that has been growing and becoming popular during the last year. According to Honorary Secretary of the GNRA Ryan Sampson, this segment of the sport is becoming increasingly well-liked among both youths and adults. “We plan organizing more of these Paint Ball competitions and inviting the public to attend.”
Mahendra Persaud
Reflecting briefly on 2009, Sampson noted that the year was very successful in the Full Bore (rifle) section with the National Rifle Team being able to retain the West Indies Full Bore Short Range Cup for the fifth consecutive year starting back in 2005 in Jamaica. Guyana also recaptured the West Indies Long Range Cup that was surrendered to Trinidad by one point in Guyana at the Timehri Ranges in 2008.
“This accomplishment was through the hard work of our national shooters, who under the superb leadership of our Full Bore Captain Mahendra Persaud and advised by former National Sportsman and leading shooter Ransford Goodluck, shot to the best of our ability to defeat all and sundry.”
The local team will be aiming to retain both championships when the WIFBSC are held in the Land of the Flying Fish, Barbados this May. Tough competition will come from Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica but the Guyanese will be working hard to whip themselves into top shape for the competitions.
Fund Raising
The Association held a successful raffle which raked in over one million dollars as they seek to maximize participation at competitions overseas.
The fund raising thrust will move into top gear this year as they intend to make the raffle an annual event. Support for the raffle came from all across Guyana and this has heartened the top brass of the GNRA which has expressed their gratitude to all who participated by purchasing tickets and donating prizes. A total of 35 prizes were handed out.
The next find raising event is set for Mash Day in the form of a drinks Bar at Vlissengen Road and Crown Streets.
The GNRA said they wish to thank all the corporate entities and individuals who have supported them throughout 2009. Honorary Secretary Ryan Sampson said that their collective support has been immeasurable to the association. “We wish them all the best for the New Year and look forward to our continued collaboration in supporting the sport of shooting in Guyana.”
The Annual General Meeting of the Association is set for January 28 at the Bank of Guyana Roof Gardens beginning at 18:30hrs. Commodore Gary Bess is expected to retain the top seat as President.
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