Archery Guyana hosts successful AGM

Archery Guyana Inc. continues to lead the way for sporting entities and set a precedent last Saturday 31st October, 2020 as it hosted its first Virtual AGM via online Platform Microsoft Teams. Members were given an opportunity to discuss the activities and plans for the way forward to promote the sport of Archery in Guyana.

The Meeting commenced with President of Archery Guyana, Mr. Mohamed Gamal Khan delivering powerful Opening Remarks to the members present, after which Minutes from the previous Meeting were adopted. Secretary-General of Archery Guyana, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon then delivered a comprehensive report to the membership, giving a brief background from its establishment in August 2014 to the end of the reporting period of 30th October, 2020.
She reported on the status of the website, membership, the various Sub-Committees and the proposed National Schools Programme which had started just before the COVID-19 Pandemic, with the introduction to Isa Islamic Academy and Queen’s College.

International events
Also reported on were the World Archery Ranking Tournament in Santiago City, Chile last year when Wayne Gerald DeAbreu, represented Guyana at this event which also served as a Second stage qualifier for Pan-American Games, Lima 2019. The Caribbean Beginners and Developmental Championships was also reported on with Robert Singh’s participation in Santo Domingo. The Caledon Tournament in Ontario, Canada was highlighted when Devin Persaud created history as the first Guyanese to secure a Minimum Qualification Score for Recurve Men with a 640 score, resulting in Guyana being placed on an official list released by World Archery as one of the countries eligible to apply for the invitational place at the Olympics. Double 720 Qualification (Baltimore) was also mentioned where Wayne Gerald DeAbreu and Devin Persaud also participated. This World Archery approved tournament resulted in DeAbreu with a 626 score and Persaud with a 620.

Local competitions
Archery Guyana’s inaugural Seven Seas Indoor Championships 2019 saw the results of the positive effects of Archery Guyana’s Development Programme, whereby ordinarily lower ranked archers outshot the more senior archers, to put themselves in top spots.
Archery Guyana again partnered with the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs for the 5th year for another grand weekend of traditional archery at Heritage Games 2019.
Archery Guyana has also been active with its activities and communication during the COVID-19 Pandemic, including issuance to members of recommendations for safety measures when returning to Training, the suggested safety protocols set by World Archery for regular training together with a document released by the WA Medical Committee. Archery Guyana in collaboration with the Guyana Olympic Association, facilitated the allocation of face masks to all members.
A number of online courses have been organised and facilitated by World Archery, namely: Sports Science in Archery Course; Classification Basics: assignment, assistive devices and equipment inspection; Introduction of and development of Compound Archery.
A virtual Bow-Tuning Session was conducted by Trinidad & Tobago Level 4 archery coach Sherwin Francis.
During the reporting period, the Board of Directors also participated in a successful virtual Meeting with World Archery Americas (WAA) and other National Federations where a number of areas were discussed, e.g Coach Trainers.
In the Online Archery Cup of the Americas, Archery Guyana was tasked with conducting Qualification rounds, which was a 600 round. Scores were recorded electronically, pictures of equipment, scorecards and the target were sent to the Competitions and Judging Committee via Whatsaap for tabulations and scrutiny. Seven archers took on the challenge as was reported in the local press.

Online National Archery Judges’ Seminar
Plans earlier this year to host a National Judges’ Seminar had to be postponed for unforeseen circumstances. However, World Archery Americas hosted an online seminar to train national judges. An invitation was extended to members and persons considered suitable to train as National Archery Judges hosted by the International Governing Body for Archery. It is a 12-session seminar which began on October 12 and concludes on November 6 with an exam. 11 persons are currently participating, and is the first PAID Course we offered for the last 3 years
This historic training seminar will result in Guyana having National Archery Judges which also provides a unique opportunity for successful applicants to develop a new skillset and participate in the advancement and development of the discipline in Guyana. National Judges are held in high esteem and depending on personal commitment this can also open a pathway into becoming a Regional Archery Judge on the WAA (World Archery America’s) roster of Judges and by extension an International Judge on WA (World Archery) roster of Judges. Applicants should be persons who are matured, honest, decent and possess integrity.
Indoor and outdoor practice sessions continued for 2019 with the kind permission of the NSC and the Ministry at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue and at the Carifesta Sports Complex Ground, Carifesta Avenue.
Collaboration with International Bodies such as World Archery, World Archery Americas, the Caribbean Initiative Meetings which is part of a Caribbean initiative to have archery federations in the region working more closely with the aim of having archery as part of the Carifta Games, for greater development and exposure for our athletes. Archery Guyana’s President, Mr. Gamal Khan represents Archery Guyana on this virtual forum.
Collaboration with Local Bodies such as Guyana Beverages Inc., Muslim Youth Organisation and MMG was reported on.
A Specially Convened Committee has been established and mandated to develop the sport of Para-Archery in Guyana. This follows on the heels of our attendance at the recent World Archery Americas Meeting on the development of Para-Archery conducted online.

Fund-Raising Events
Archery Guyana has in the past joined GTT for their Fun-Days and Duck Curry events. For the past 2 years we have assisted with the Archery Fundraiser at St Joseph Mercy Hospital Christmas Fair. A big hit with the crowds. On the last occasion, the entire proceeds were donated to Mercy Home for the Elderly. The most recent Fund-raising exercise has been the sale of Archery Guyana shirts, designed by Nicholas Hing and Wayne DeAbreu.
Affiliation to the GOA was granted last year to Archery Guyana. Since then, the Board has duly made an application for what would have been the Tokyo 2020 Tripartite Commission Invitation Places and learnt that Archer, Devin Persaud was ranked 5th in priority by the executives of the Guyana Olympic Association. His name will be submitted in the priority list to the IOC for consideration for the Tripartite application.
Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Archery Guyana had plans to host a 20-hr Olympic Recurve Clinic with 2 coaches from Canada to include persons from Regions 4, 5, 6 and 10. A proposal was submitted to the GOA as an Olympic Solidarity Course and is awaiting favourable consideration on the way forward.
Guyana Olympic Committee was thanked for inviting Archery Guyana to its Seminars thus far. Two coaches, Nicholas Hing and Umasankar Madray participated in the Plus 1% Training course from June 29-30, 2019. Also, on October 26, 2019, the GOA hosted a Sports Forum. National Head Coach, Nicholas Hing represented Archery at this Forum.

Upcoming Events
1. Guyana will be represented at the prestigious World Archery Americas General Assembly in November by three (3) members: Mr. Mohamed Khan, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon and Mr. Robert Singh.
2. Target Building Project – This is a continuous Project undertaken by Archery Guyana: the Target Building Project which is currently being conducted by members locally.
3. PVC Bow Making Seminar – We would like to host another PVC bow making seminar in the near future so as to build more bows which can in turn be used for training and whetting the appetite of new members.
4. Virtual Q&A Session with Wayne and Devin.

Thanks & Collaborations
Thanks are expressed to the following persons who assisted in one way or the other for reporting period: The Ministry of Sport; The National Sports Commission; Mr Ryan McKinnon, Infotrans Guyana Inc / Neutrino Inc; Mr Julius Simon; Commissioner General Mr Godfrey Statia; the Guyana Revenue Authority; Mr Harryram Parmesar, Parmesar Accounting Firm; Members and the Board of Archery Guyana Inc; Mr Umasankar Madray; Mr. Robert Singh; Mr Ray Beharry; Seven Seas,; Massy Industries; Brand Manager Raymond Govinda & General Manager Samuel Arjoon of Guyana Beverages Inc; Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) and the media.
Treasurer of Archery Guyana, Mr. Nicholas Hing, then presented the Financial Statements up to end of October, 2020 to the membership which was verified by the Internal Auditor, Mr. Ray Beharry and reported that Archery Guyana also goes the step further to have external auditors review the financials. In this regard, thanks were expressed to Mr. Harry Parmesar of Parmesar and Parmesar for his usual un-hesitating, professional services rendered to the sporting body.