The Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) will focus this year on fully rehabilitating the Timehri Rifle and Pistol Ranges, increasing active membership by at least 25% and working closely with sponsors to promote the sport.
These plans were disclosed by GNRA secretary Ryan Sampson when the association held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Bank of Guyana Roof Garden on Wednesday.
According to release from the secretary, the meeting, which began at 18.30hrs, was well attended and was chaired by retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe.
Commodore Gary Best was re-elected president of the association at the AGM.
The release also noted that due to the steadfast and diligent work of members of the GNRA Council during 2010 their goals were achieved.
The year 2010 also augured well for membership of the GNRA with total new membership being 47 as compared to 30 in 2009.
Female membership was also up to 13 compared to three in 2009. The present recorded membership of the association now stands at over 100.
“Our dream remains that one day we will have inter-county or inter-club shooting competitions. Also, the three counties will have representation on the National Association’s Executive Council,” Sampson said according to the release. Among their dreams for 2011, Sampson noted that “The association is still actively pursuing a state-of-the-art Indoor Range and Club House. We were allocated a piece of land at Tuschen, West Coast, Demerara.
“We certainly feel that having an Indoor Range and Club House will immensely contribute to an increase in competitiveness of our shooters; we will be able to host more small bore competitions and this will be an avenue for income as licensed firearm holders will be able to utilise the range for a fee, and most importantly it will be the home of our association.”
Moreover, the secretary said that plans are still on stream for the total rehabilitation of the Timehri Rifle and Pistol Ranges. “This was put on hold last year because of budgetary matters in the Guyana Defence Force. It has been prioritized for 2011 and will be a collaborative effort between the association and the Guyana Defence Force. It will include the warden house, hut, target mechanisms and the fencing of the perimeter.”
The release noted that other projections for 2011 listed by Sampson include fundraising activities that can attain maximum profits, increasing active membership by at least 25%, and working closely with sponsors to promote the sport of shooting.
Other executives elected at the AGM were Richard Fields (Vice President), Paul Slowe (Vice-President), Ryan Sampson (Honorary Secretary), Lt. Col. (Res) Terrence Stuart (Treasurer), Hemant Narine (Assistant Secretary Treasurer), Mahendra Persaud (Full Bore Captain), Dylan Fields (Full Bore Vice-Captain), Dale Hing (Small Bore Captain), Ryan Mc Kennan (Small Bore Vice Captain), Ransford Goodluck (Committee Member), Mohamed Qualander (Committee Member), Johan DaSilva (Committee Member), Murtland Smith (Auditor), Gordon Richards (Auditor).
