Planet Paintball Guyana pays courtesy call on Sport Minister

Feb 22, 2014 Sports

– Paintball Association, security concerns discussed

Planet Paintball Guyana paid a recent courtesy call on Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, at his Main Street, Georgetown, office where setting up Guyana’s first Paintball Association was primary among the discussions.
The sport emerged as a past time and opportunity for enthusiasts to engage in friendly fire. Since then, the sport has grown in popularity and is forcing Planet Paintball Guyana (PPG) to pioneer a structure

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony makes a point during his meeting with Planet Paintball Guyana.

for the sport since the 2012 emergence.
“The best way to properly control the sport and at least make sure that it is played in a structured way is to set up an association and get affiliated with the National Sports Commission (NSC). So I would advise you to reach out to everyone who plays the game,” Anthony reportedly told those who represented Planet Paintball.
The concerns of the growing popularity of the sport in Guyana are those of security, as the guns or markers are evolving and are now being made to resemble some of the most renowned high- powered weapons. The Minister heard of cases where persons where stopped and locked up by the police for carrying the guns openly because of those resemblances.
“That’s something of great concern,” Anthony reportedly said, adding “the thing is, you have to find a way to get the people together; I don’t think at this stage, nothing much can be done other than talking to them, and warning them not to carry the weapons in the open.”
The Minister said it would be the instinct of the police to react if they see something looking like a real gun. However, he believes if the sport gets a constitution, forms little groups and members have the right affiliation, the sport can have the proper structure in Guyana.
Research has shown that there are several Paintball Associations/Federations that were formed around the world as way of controlling the sport. In some countries like Cyprus and Australia, the Police control the sport, while in some provinces, the law states that only a license firearm holder is permitted to carry the weapon.
In some parts of Europe and the United States of America, the laws that govern the sport are much stricter since those countries use the sport for military training.
The local group informed the Minister that a draft constitution is already in place, and as such, they have decided to meet with the stakeholders of the game in Guyana around March 12, though a venue is yet to be named for what is intended as a national effort.
Anthony reportedly encouraged them to keep him updated on their road to becoming affiliated to the National Sports Commission.