COMMODORE Gary Best, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, was returned unopposed as president of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) at its Annual General Meeting held last Thursday evening at Bank of Guyana. The two vice-presidents retained were Senior Counsel Richard Fields and ACP (Ret’d) Paul Slowe..
The long-serving honorary secretary Ryan Sampson and treasurer Lt. Col. Terrence Stuart were also returned unopposed.
Others officers retained were: Assistant secretary/treasurer Hemant Narine,  Fullbore, captain Mahendra Persaud, Fullbore vice-captain Dylan Fields, committee members Ransford Goodluck and Mohamed Qualander.
The newly elected members are Smallbore captain Ryan McKinnon, Smallbore vice-captain Gordon Richards, committee member Dale Hing and auditors Ray Beharry and Vidushi Persaud.
Recently elected President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar, has accepted the position of Patron of the association; it was disclosed at the meeting.
Secretary Sampson said the GNRA was delighted President Ramotar has accepted the position and the association looks forward to working closely with him to develop the sport locally.
In his report Sampson said the association achieved 80 percent of the goals set out during the financial year.
He apologised for the absence of Commodore Best who was unable to attend the meeting due to work commitment.
Sampson said rehabilitation work was started at the Timehri rifle and pistol ranges. “The fence at the entrance is completed; the range huts at the 300 yards and one between the 500 and 600 yards were also completed. This will be a continuing collaborative effort between the Guyana Defence Force and the GNRA.”
According to Sampson the association is in a healthy financial position and he expressed gratitude to the many stakeholders and supporters who contributed significantly.
They include outgoing Patron Bharrat Jagdeo, the Commissioner of Police and Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Crown Mining, Industrial Safely Supplies, Queensway, Banks DIH, Citizens Bank, Scotiabank, Demerara Mutual Life Assurance, Modern Optical, Sterling Products and Noble House Seafoods.
The media also came in for high praise for coverage of rifle and pistol shooting last year.
Guyana rifle shooters retained the Milex Long Range title but lost the Short Range title to Jamaica by just two points last year at the regional championships in Antigua and Barbuda for the first time.
The small bore section participated in two international shoots in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.
The Trinidad participation turned out to be excellent with Dale Hing winning the competition and Gordon Richards placing third. Hing was also crowned Fastest Draw in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the new Executive Council will be meeting early next month to draft plans for the new year.  It was announced that the West Indies Fullbore Champions will be hosted by Guyana in October.
The National Rifle Team will be looking to retain the Long Range Trophy it has held for five consecutive years and recapture the Short Range Cup it lost by two points last year in Antigua having held it for four consecutive years prior to the 2011 defeat.