Two-man Rifle shooting team excelled at X1X Commonwealth Games

Oct 26, 2010 Sports

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Guyana placed 5th out of 21 countries; best performance ever

By Franklin Wilson

Guyana’s two-member Fullbore team of Caribbean Individual Champion Ransford Goodluck and Mahendra Persaud that competed at the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 held in Delhi, achieved a commendable 5th place among the 21 countries that participated.
Briefing the media yesterday at Olympic House, High Street, team Manager Paul Slowe stated that Guyana competed in the pairs and individual competitions.
Slowe informed that in the pairs competition, the performance of the Guyanese was outstanding. “They did extremely well placing ahead of teams like Australia, Canada, Malaysia, and South Africa which are all shooting powerhouses. To put it in further perspective, the gold medal was won by New Zealand with a score of 588, Scotland came second with a score of 587, England came 3rd with a score of 584, in 4th place was the team from Guernsey with a score of 580 and in 5th place was Guyana with a score of 579 so we were just one shot away from the bronze medal.”
Sharing on the conditions of the range, Slowe disclosed that it was very tricky and it was the first time they had to use electronic targets which made a big difference. “There was a lot of smug in the air so visibility for the shooters was a challenge.
“I want to publicly commend the two shooters who did very well as they have been doing over the years. We were there not only to be present but presented a challenge to the big teams.”
The competitions (pairs & singles) were ran simultaneously because of the electronic score boards.”
In the individual competition, both Goodluck and Persaud who have always been fierce competitors at home and in the Caribbean did well for Guyana. Up to the final day at the 1000 yards range, Goodluck was in with a real chance half way through of winning a bronze medal but the winds switched on him resulting in two bad scores that effectively ended his chances of medaling.

They were some challenges with the electronic scoring system that led to some controversy but Slowe reported that the Indian authorities did a fine job in dealing with the situation.
The point of Rifle Shooting not being a popular sport in Guyana was re-emphasized by Slowe who reminded that the Guyana team has done consistently well at the Regional and International level resulting in Guyana being the current Caribbean Champions winning the championship for four consecutive years.
“We have continued over the years to do well and we intend to repeat again as Caribbean champions in Antigua & Barbuda having won in Barbados this year. There can be absolutely no doubt that in terms of shooting in the Caribbean and the world that Guyana is considered one of the top teams. This Commonwealth Games has reinforced the fact that we are real contenders in any rifle shooting competition.”
The Guyana National Rifle Shooting Association (GNRA) Slowe said will use this momentum to further strengthen the sport and to encourage more persons to join.
One of the challenges faced in the further development of the sport he cited was their inability to have their own club house.
“We all feel that if we were able to acquire a plot of land – we have approached the Ministry of Sport and the Minister of Housing and Water – but we want to make a plea that if we are given a plot of land in a suitable location – we are going to be able to make rifle shooting even more prominent.”
Slowe said that the Indian Small Bore shooters reaped an abundance of medals and Guyana is capable of doing the same but they don’t have the facility. He also noted that a big challenge for the sport is persons travelling to Timehri to compete. “All we are asking is for the land; we are going to do the rest.”
The success of the team at the Commonwealth Slowe reminded started at Bisley in England this year.”
Mahendra Persaud agreed with Slowe stating that Bisley was ideal training grounds for the team. “We left here in the right frame of mind and right form because we continued our training when we got back here from Bisley. This level of competition is what these other shooters train at all year in year out.”
“It’s a lot of training and high level competition that is needed to perform well at these games.
GNRA Secretary Ryan Sampson thanked LIAT, Caribbean Airlines, the Customs & Excise Department, Commissioner of Police, Correia Mining Company and the Ministry of Culture Youth & Sport for their assistance to the team.
He also made a plea to the Ministry of Sport to assist the Association with the duty free letter to clear some ammunition the Association has to clear to be used by the shooters.
Guyana sent a contingent of 49 to the X1X Commonwealth Games with Aliann Pompey winning a silver medal in the women’s 400m.
Attention will now turn to the National Championships set for November 12 – 14 at the Timehri Rifle Ranges.

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