BOARD members of the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) recently paid a courtesy call on the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCY&S) and presented documents which were adopted at its 2015 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on January 29.The Federation was lauded by the Permanent Secretary, Alfred King, as the first body to do so for 2015, in keeping with the requirements set out by his ministry and the National Sports Commission (NSC) for all sport organisations in Guyana.

These included copies of the Federation’s Report for 2014 together with externally audited financial statements, and a copy of its updated Constitution.
During the visit, the Board members discussed with the Ministry its plans for the future and gave an update as to the accomplishments in 2014. They also previewed the happenings of the recent AGM where president of the federation, Vidushi Persaud, categorically stated that the success was the result of all the members unhesitatingly coming on board to promote sport shooting in Guyana in a safe and well regulated manner.
She paid tribute to the work of the directors of the founding board who have all given so freely of their time and energies to make 2014 the success it has been.
At the AGM, the secretary Steve Ninvalle delivered a comprehensive Report to the membership, from its establishment in August 2014 to the end of the reporting period December 31.
Ninvalle indicated that though it is a young entity, the Federation has successfully hosted two Steel Challenge competitions and a Practical Shooting Match and saw members participate in two international matches earning for Guyana prizes for Practical Shooting, and also conducted three of the GSSF’s Range Discipline and Firearms Safety Courses utilising Government’s National Sport Resource Centre.
The secretary further reported on affiliations, stating that the GSSF is affiliated to two international bodies, the Steel Challenge Shooting Association and the Amateur Trapshooting Association. Affiliation was also sought to the United States Practical Shooting Association and all duly completed and required documents were forwarded to the Regional Director of Guyana representing the International Practical Shooting Confederation for signature which is still pending.
In relation to local affiliations, the GSSF is sanctioned by the NSC and sought affiliation to the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) in keeping with its Constitution. Such an affiliation would allow for open and equal participation by all registered local sport shooters both locally and internationally.
Though not yet affiliated the GSSF will continue to welcome the participation of established practical shooters of the GNRA in their Practical Pistol Matches through match invitations which are currently being sent to the secretary of the GNRA.
Through partnership with the MCY&S and the NSC the GSSF has secured permission to utilise an Indoor facility in the National Gymnasium and an Outdoor Facility (Ministry of Sport – GNS ground) and will be pioneering the sport of Archery in the very near future.
Sincere gratitude was expressed to the following persons who assisted in one way or the other for 2014:
Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, Director of Sport Neil Kumar, the National Sports Commission, Chief of Staff, Brig. Mark Phillips, the Guyana Defence Force, Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Revenue Authority, Dennis Dias, DD Signs, Dr Pravesh Harry, Doc.com Pharmacy, Harish Lakhanpal, Capital Recycling Inc., Trophy Stall, Rohandev and Harrinand Persaud, Kings Jewellery World, Ryan McKinnon, Neutrino Inc., Julius Simon, Ken’s Mufflers, the Media, the Founding Board and members of the GSSF.
The Report of the Auditors was presented to the membership along with its Financial Statement. This was duly conducted and issued by Auditor Harryram Parmesar from the Parmesar Audit Firm.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary congratulated the GSSF on their achievements to date and being able to achieve clear success in a short period of time. He lauded the Board on being able to produce audited financial statements by an external auditor and expressed the hope that other sporting organisations will follow suit.