THE Guyana NRA Executive paid a courtesy call on Nicolette Henry, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, at her office on Friday last.
The Executive members attending the meeting were:Hon. Secretary,Ryan Sampson;Treasurer Lt. Col (ret’d) Terrence Stuart;Asst. Secretary Treasurer,Hemant Narine and Committee Member,Lennox Braithwaite.

The Minister was updated on the progress of the Association’s plans for the 150th Anniversary Championships in October.
At the conclusion of the meeting,the Minister stated that her Ministry will be very willing to assist not only in monetary ways but in providing transportation and connections to the relevant authorities in tourism and even planning, as these are also important for hosting.
Confirmation of shooters was received from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, Jamaica, Bermuda, Canada, USA, Ireland, England and Falkland Islands.

The shooting format to be used will be similar to what is used at Bisley,England for the Imperial Championships: three days of individual shooting from which the top seventy-two go forward on the fourth day and shoot at the 300, 500 and 600 yards ranges.
The top 48 from those three ranges then move forward for the finals to shoot at the 900 and 1000 yds ranges.
The Friday will be a rest/tour day when shooters and their family members will get to tour the Kaieture Falls, as the Guyana NRA continues to push Sports Tourism as part of the package to the participants and to let them see more of Guyana.

The Saturday will be the Milex Long Range Championship,to be followed on Sunday by the WIFBSC Short Range Championship. Guyana is defending both titles,having been dominating the shooting sport over the last nine years.
There will be a Presentation and dinner on the Sunday night where the Association’s Patron, His Excellency Brig. David Granger and Minister Henry are expected to be in attendance.
The cost for hosting the championships is almost Gy$20M,with the ammunition cost taking about half of this amount while money is being spent on major rehabilitation works ongoing at the ranges.

Last week the GDF hierarchy,lead by Brig. Patrick West,made an inspection of the works and was very impressed and pleased with the development that the Guyana NRA has completed. He reiterated his support and assistance for the completion of the ranges to meet international standards.

The Association will soon be sending letters to the business community seeking assistance to offset some of the associated costs for the ongoing works as well as for the hosting of the Championship.