NEW Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Brigadier Mark Philips was elected president of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) at the Annual General Meeting of the Association held last Monday at Police Officers Mess, Eve Leary.

Brigadier Phillips, who accepted the nomination in keeping with the GNRA constitution but was absent from the Meeting, replaces retired Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Gary Best who served as president for several years.
Returning to office as vice-presidents were ACP Retired Paul Slowe and Senior Counsel Richard Fields.
The ex-officio vice-presidents are Lt. Col. of the Guyana Defence Force and ACP George Vyphius of the Guyana Police Force.
Ryan Sampson retained his position as secretary but the new treasurer is Ray Beharry who replaced Lt. Col. Terrence Stuart who is now one of two auditors, the other being Leo Romalho.
Hemant Narine was also retained as assistant secretary/treasurer, while Mahendra Persaud and Dylan Fields were returned as captain and vice-captain respectively of the Fullbore section while Dale Hing and Gordon Richards were returned as Smallbore captain and vice-captain respectively.
The committee members are Vidushi Persaud, Dr Johan DaSilva and Lennox Braithwaite.
Secretary Ryan Sampson reported that there has been an increase in membership but noted that some members have not been participating in activities of the Association.
He said the media has been very supportive of the work of the GNRA and he praised the assistance given.
Fullbore captain reported that 2013 was another successful year for the Association with Guyana retaining the regional Long Range Title but losing the short range title to Jamaica at the West Indies Fullbore Shooting championships in Barbados.
Guyana also hosted the Great Britain team ahead of the regional tournament at the Timehri ranges. Three Guyanese shooters Lennox Braithwaite, Mahendra Persaud and Sigmund Douglas were also named to the West Indies at the Imperial Shoot at Bisley, England.
Smallbore captain Dale Hing reported on the local competitions and trips to Trinidad and Suriname which saw creditable performances by the members. He, however, lamented the great shortage of ammunition which affected the shooting programme immensely and hoped that local dealers will be able to meet the demands of the GNRA Smallbore section.
Sampson also reported that the Association has stalled its pursuit of an Indoor Range and Clubhouse after the proposed site – a piece of land allocated at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo – proved unfavourable.
The Association lauded the support of its Patron, His Excellency President Donald Ramotar for his continued assistance as well as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Customs and Trade Administration.
“The business community that supported us were: Crown Mining Inc, Industrial Safety Supplies, Queensway, Modern Optical Services, Demerara Mutual Life Assurance, Banks DIH, Citizens Bank, Scotiabank, Noble House Seafoods, North American Resources, JAParts, Sterling Products,, Bank of Guyana and Mohamed’s General Store and others who choose not to be mentioned,” Sampson concluded.