Brigadier Godfrey Bess is the new President of the Guyana National Rifle Association (NRA) after the body held its annual general meeting recently.

Bess replaces Brigadier Patrick West and has at his side, Vice Presidents Col. Enoch Gaskin and Mahendra Persaud.

Ryan Sampson remains the Honorary Secretary with the Treasurer being Hemant Narine, Asstant Secretary/Treasurer Lennox Braithwaite; Fullbore Captain, Dylan Fields; Fullbore Vice Captain Leo Romalho; Smallbore Captain, Gordon Richards and Smallbore Vice Captain, Lindsay Baird.

The ordinary members of the General Council are Dr. Johan DaSilva, Sherwin Felicien, Peter Persaud. With the approval of the Association’s new Constitution at the meeting there is now a Finance Committee which comprises Dale Hing, Murtland Smith and Colvern Venture along with the Treasurer and Assistant Secretary Treasurer. Long-serving vice president, Paul Slowe, Treasurer Lt Col Terrence Stuart and Smallbore captain, Dale Hing, all did not seek re-election.

The Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at the Crown Mining Roof Garden, located on Dennis Street, Campbelville with the Returning Officer being Charles Corbin of the GOA.

Prior to the election, the meeting was called to order by the Honorary Secretary, Ryan Sampson, who announced that the president Brigadier. Patrick West was unable to attend.

It should be noted that the meeting was held with a hybrid system with persons at the location being joined online via Zoom.

This was a first at an AGM for the Association, as it also allowed members from the USA to attend. Reports were given by Mr. Dylan Fields of the Fullbore Section, who highlighted the participation in the West Indies Fullbore Championship in Trinidad where Guyana placed second.

Due to the pandemic there was inactivity in 2020 and only three months of activity in 2021, before receiving news in July from the Guyana Defence Force that the Timehri Rifle Ranges were being temporarily closed until further notice.

It is presently still closed. The Smallbore Secton’s Report was given by Mr. Gordon Richards who highlighted the training of new members in firearm safety and usage.

There were also practice sessions at the TSU ranges under strict COVID-19 protocols.

The financial position was also shared with the members by the honorary secretary on behalf of the treasurer.

The honorary secretary then reported on the Associations administration.

The monthly statutory meetings were held via Zoom over the period.

The COVID-19 Task Force had given permission to the Association to hold recreational shoots under strict COVID-19 protocol.

A meeting was held with the newly appointed Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Godfrey Bess, who had confirmed his and the GDF’s support to the Association.

There has always been a great collaboration between the two entities over the years and he wanted this to continue.

The Association had written to the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission for a piece of land on which to build a club house and indoor range, but is still to receive a reply.

Land was offered in Tuschen to the Association back in 2011 but the funds available to acquire it was not sufficient.

The Association is still hopeful, after 154 years in existence, of having a place to call home as it continues to utilize the GOA’s premises.

The Honorary Secretary then thanked the outgoing Executive Council for their service over the last four years. The Council was then dissolved.

He stated the positions that were available for elections and ensured that a democratic process was followed.

The general membership had also voted to make three members as life members, namely Brigadier Patrick West, Paul Slowe and Ransford Goodluck.

Both Mr. Slowe and Goodluck have given the Association over forty years of service both in sport administration and as active shooters.

Both outgoing Captains Messrs. Mahendra Persaud and Dale Hing were also praised for their leadership and commitment over the year in attaining glory for Guyana at championships.