The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) says participants in its final fitness competition for the year showed significant progress at the close of the contest at Base Camp Stephenson on Friday.
According to a press release the participating teams in the event, popularly called the ‘Run-and-Shoot’, registered improved performances compared to those recorded at the first and second competitions held earlier in the year.
At the start of the competition 18 teams competed in target shooting, canopy rope crossing, swimming, a navigation exercise and a medical test. The teams, decked out in battle kit, engaged in a 5 kilometre run, completed an obstacle course, falling-plate shoots and grenade throwing to wrap up the two-day competition. Fifteen of the teams comprised men and three women.
According to the release Base Camp Stephenson’s female team took top honours amassing 556 points followed by Base Camp Ayanganna with 487 points. The Coast Guard female team ended up in the cellar. Also, the Training Corps took first place with 738 points for the male teams with the 3 1 Special Forces Squadron securing second place with 728 points and the First Infantry Battalion earned third place with 719 points. Coordinator of the contest Major Denzil Carmichael said the teams showed significant improvement in their performances.
Meanwhile, Chief of Staff Commodore Gary Best said training in 2008 has been good. He congratulated the organisers and participants which included a Guyana Police Force team which took part for the first time. Best also said though the performances were good there was room for improvement adding that he would welcome seeing more female teams participate. He also singled out the police team for high praise in the target and falling plates shoots. Best also offered to assist the police with training in other areas.
At the close of the competition Best and other senior officers handed out medals, trophies and other incentives to the winners.