… More collaboration on the cards as developmental plans shared

THE Executive Committee of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) last Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Charles Ramson MP, at the Ministry’s boardroom.

The executive members included Honorary Secretary Ryan Sampson, Treasurer Hemant Narine, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Lennox Braithwaite, Fullbore Captain Dylan Fields, and his Vice Captain, Leo Romalho.

The courtesy call was very cordial, and the Executive updated the Minister about their last AGM held in December 2021, where Brigadier Godfrey Bess was elected president. The association, which has always had a good relationship with previous ministers, pledges to continue in like manner.

The secretary promised to submit the Minutes of the last AGM along with financial statement. In relation to the Sports Academy which Minister Ramson spoke of, and his plans on sports development, the association expressed the need for an appropriate indoor range for the training of ISSF-style shooting which can lead to Olympic participation.

The GuyanaNRA noted that the indoor range will align very well with the Sports Academy as youths can be well trained in the principles of marksmanship. Small-bore air pistols and air rifles can be used for the training of young shooters.

There can be formulated programmes for young shooters leading to the Olympics. With the association’s present range having to be moved from Yarrowkabra, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, due to the government’s development in the area, Minister Ramson stated that he would work with the association and its Patron, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, in creating a new and modern range.

The association was assigned the hosting of the 2024 West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championship at the recently held AGM of the West Indies Fullbore Council, held in Jamaica during the 2022 West Indies Fulbore Shooting Championships.

The GuyanaNRA members stated that they have commenced the work to achieve a successful hosting of the 2024 West Indies Championships. The association has posited that hosting this prestigious competition would also contribute to Sports Tourism for Guyana as teams from Canada and the United Kingdom are expected to participate.

The association has promised to keep Minister Ramson abreast of their plans