FOLLOWING the recent launch of Archery Guyana by the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation, the organisation is extremely happy to be involved in the Heritage Games 2015, held at the National Aquatic Centre, on September 20, 2015. The 2015 edition saw the inauguration of Swimming and Archery as competitive sports for the Indigenous communities with the archery competition seeing many eager participants, some of whom had never even used a bow before but were encouraged by the fact that there were trophies to be won.
Before the start of the competition, everyone present was advised of the strict safety rules which are a standard of the World Archery and its affiliated organisations.
The enthusiastic archers enjoyed the competition, each shooting 2 rounds at 25 metres, with locally made indigenous bows and arrows and 2 rounds at 18 metres with their own bows and arrows, in both male and female categories. There was only one junior participant who was in the male category.
The Overall prize winners Male category: 1st place Roy Persaud 27 pts, 2nd place Eric Hing 25 pts, 3rd place Manley Thomas 17 pts.
Junior category: Michael Hing 11 pts
Female category: 1st place Reneta Thomas 7 pts, 2nd place Margaret Pearson 5 pts.
President of the Federation, Ms Vidushi Persaud expressed her delight and enthusiasm at the collaboration between the organising committee of the Games and Archery Guyana’s team and expressed her pleasure at working with Ivan Persaud, the Coordinator of the Games.
This was alluded to by both Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Junior Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe in their feature addresses to the crowd of competitors and fans who gathered at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal.
The GSSF through its president reiterated its total commitment to the promotion and development of sport and recreation amongst all Guyanese through continued collaboration with the government, respective ministries and all sporting organisations.
Also speaking at the Opening Ceremony were Mr Ivan Persaud, Coordinator of the Heritage Games 2015 and Nicholas Hing, member GSSF/Archery Guyana. Hing, assisted by fellow member Liddon Kellman also had on display their newly-made Olympic-styled PVC target archery bows, complete with the stabiliser system.
The design is by Colombian Archer Diego Torres and the bow was assembled in Guyana.
These were on hand for anyone who wished to inspect and test so Prime Minister Nagamootoo stepped forward and took the first shot.
The GSSF, in collaboration with World Archery Americas, recently concluded its inaugural Archery Development Seminar in Georgetown which was also conducted by Torres.
The focus of all of the Federation’s seminars as to the fabrication of PVC bows and teaching the correct form for target archery is primarily safety.
Seminars have been geared to give participants the knowledge as to how to further develop this longstanding Olympic sport by making these low-cost bows which are to be used for training and local competitions such as the Heritage Archery Games 2015.
Discussions are taking place to have such seminars on a scheduled basis for members of affiliated organisations.