TWO Saturdays ago, local handgun shooters made their way to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ranges at Yarrowkabra to compete against fellow shooters in the Guyana Steel Shooting Federation’s (GSSF) first competition in 2016 which was sponsored by Muneshwars Travel Service.Prior to the commencement of the event, Match Director, Vidushi Persaud welcomed the members who came out to participate after which she introduced the Range Master for the event, David Dharry, who reviewed the safety requirements and introduced Range Officers, Ray Beharry and Peter Hugh.
Shortly after the day was declared open and shooters began the afternoon’s rivalry with the first of the three stages being Pendulum. Five-to-Go and Accelerator the other two stages.
Competitors shot at five individual steel targets of varying sizes and distances and they were scored using an audible timing device. Penalties of added time applied for any misses and the total time resultant used as the score.
Local pistol shooters also competed in two SCSA Divisions: Wildcat and Limited. The Trophies were awarded to the top three overall in each division. Wildcat Division included competitors using .32ACP and any other caliber lesser than a 9mm while those in the Limited Division shot 9mm or higher caliber hand guns.
Leading overall with 78.48 seconds for all the stages was Ryan McKinnon who took home the first place Trophy. McKinnon is currently Guyana’s undefeated Steel Challenge Shooter.
Second place was secured by Mohamed Qualander who registered a time of 94.38 seconds which was 18.94 seconds faster than third placed Azaad Hassan.
In the Wildcat Division, Tracy Vieira emerged the victor over Jagmohan Trevor Bassoo who was second and third place finisher Peter Hugh. Trophies were presented by the Federation’s Vice-President Michael Blake.
Special Medals were announced for the top three in the Law Enforcement Division. Harold Hopkinson was first while Garfield Newton and Johan Rampersaud were second and third, respectively.
The Winner of the Special Prize of Electronic Ear-muffs which was to be awarded to the Shooter with the best time in two of the stages was Azaad Hassan.

In closing, Match Director Ms. Vidushi Persaud expressed sincere thanks to Muneshwers Travel Servive for the kind sponsorship to kick of the year of 2016.
The GSSF also wishes to thank the Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Mark Phillips, GPF Commissioner Seelall Persaud, GPF Asst. Commissioner Ramnarine, GPF Commander Hicken, GPF OC TSU Superintendent Dehnert, Senior Superintendent Bacchus, GPF Corporal Dunn and the ranks of the GPF Armory and TSU, Colin Changur and the Management of Muneshwers Travel Service.
As an affiliate of the Steel Challenge Shooting Association, a sister body of the United States Practical Shooting Association, the GSSF has been organising matches following their strict safety policies.
More information can be found online at GSSF’s website – www.GuyanaSportShooting.com