Queensway on board with GSSF
Group picture of Queensway-sponsored Steel Challenge Tier 1 Match players. In centre, sponsor Mr Mohamed Qualander is flanked by other shooters.
Group picture of Queensway-sponsored Steel Challenge Tier 1 Match players. In centre, sponsor Mr Mohamed Qualander is flanked by other shooters.

THE Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) hosted yet another Steel Challenge Shooting Match, sponsored by Queensway last Saturday at the GDF Timehri Range. In spite of 40 minutes being lost to heavy rainfall, the entire match was completed safely. Shooters on hand deemed it a fun and successful event which ended in surreal tropical sunset. The local pistol-shooters competed in two SCSA Divisions – Wildcat and Limited.

 Winner of the Balloon Challenge, Mr Andrew Phang receives his trophy.

Winner of the Balloon Challenge, Mr Andrew Phang receives his trophy.

Wildcat Division consisted of competitors using .32ACP and lower calibres whereas those in the Limited Division shot 9mm or higher calibre handguns. The match consisted of three sanctioned SCSA stages (Pendulum, Showdown and Accelerator) with the action being monitored by the Federation’s Range Safety Officers.
‘Showdown’ saw two rectangle targets located some 25 yards away and the smaller plates at a closer 10 yards while the stop plate was set at 12 yards. However, this stage was seen as tricky to tackle, since there was a requirement to shoot at least 2 strings from one shooting location or box and then alternating to another box for the next two strings.
This ultimately changed the angles and target presentation. The competitors then had to choose from either box where they would shoot their final string. ‘Accelerator’ caused both the shooter’s trigger finger to press rapidly, their heart-beat to accelerate and ultimately saw the most ammo being used as they strove to hit the plates in short times.
‘Pendulum’ saw the furthest four targets set at 18 yards and the stop plate enticingly located at a close 10 yards from the shooting box. This caused some excitement as seasoned shooters in their rush to get fast scores repeatedly shot and missed the stop plate thus forcing them to take follow-up shots to stop the clock as one’s time is ultimately one’s score, with the total of the best 4 strings of 5 being used for score.
Leading overall with just over a minute of shooting for the afternoon was undefeated local Steel Challenge shooter, Ryan McKinnon. Second place was locked by Ray Beharry who was just about four seconds faster than third-placed Joseph Chin, all in the Limited Division.
In the Wildcat Division, Tracy Vieira dominated Jagmohan Bassoo.
Following the main event, there was an exhibition match dubbed a ‘Balloon Challenge’ which tested the accuracy of those who signed up. The Range was then transformed into a festive and colourful spectacle with the addition of several bright red balloons atop posts placed downrange.
The first shooting line was placed at 15 metres and participants were given 15 seconds to aim and fire once at a chosen balloon. Shooters who missed were immediately eliminated while those hitting were promoted to the next sudden-death round: the shooting line was also moved to create further distance after every round.
At the end of four rounds two shooters made it to the final – GSSF president Vidushi Persaud and Andrew Phang. Both shots broke at about the same instance and it was Phang who emerged victorious over Persaud. After the competition, Match Director Bhudu expressed sincere thanks to Mohamed Qualander of Queensway for the sponsorship of the match and for making Armscor ammunition available for the match.
The GSSF wishes to thank the Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Phillips, GPF Commissioner Persaud, GPF Asst. Commissioner Ramnarine, GPF Commander Hicken, GPF OC TSU Superintendent Dehnert, Asst Superintendent Mr Todd, GPF Corporal Dunn and the ranks of the GPF Armoury and TSU.
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.
This simple, yet action-packed shooting sport attracts Guyanese pistol-shooters from all around the country on a regular basis. More information can be found on the GSSF website www.GuyanaSportShooting.com

 

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