president of the Federation, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon speaking on behalf of the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) expressed delight at the opportunity to participate in the Indigenous Heritage Games 2016.
She opined that “anyone with a modicum of intelligence will recognise that the term “sport shooting” is not restricted to the bang bang of firearms being discharged: it embraces all sporting events which involve the launching or shooting of projectiles at targets. This expansive concept of sport shooting was given tangible expression on July 31, 2015 when the Guyana Sport
Chairman of the National Toshao Council, Joel Fredericks (left) and other male archers take aim in the preliminary archery competition
Shooting Federation was accredited as a permanent member of the prestigious World Archery Federation.”
She went on to point out that significantly, Archery has been emerging as a sport involving the participation of indigenous people across the globe. Canada will host the World Indigenous Peoples’ Games in 2017.
In neighbouring Brazil, a trio of youngsters with only a few years training went head-to-head with the country’s elite, attempting to become Brazil’s first indigenous Olympic athletes.
The young Brazilians did not make it to the Olympics but the pilot project aimed at capitalizing on traditional indigenous skills was vindicated. And here in Guyana she pointed out that the obvious area of traditional indigenous skill which ought to be transported to the national and Olympic level is Archery.
She went on to state that historically, members of our indigenous communities employed archery for hunting. “Our association with archery was reflected in our primary insignia of statehood ….
Our national flag is fondly and familiarly referred to as “the Golden…. Arrowhead!”
Persaud-McKinnon pointed out to the gathering that the good news is that the International
Archery bodies have assured the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation of their commitment to the promotion of Archery sport shooting in this country. The Federation can see members of our indigenous communities, the natural inheritors of the sport of Archery, coming forward as Team
Guyana to bring home that elusive Gold Medal at the Olympics! Indeed, she went on to say that she can feel it in her bone that the future world champions were standing right there in the audience.
She stated that the selection process starts as early as Saturday afternoon right there on the grounds with the Archery Qualification Exercise. The Finals Archery Competition will be on Sunday from 3-5p.m.
Also speaking at the Opening Ceremony was the Director of Sport, Mr. Christopher Jones. The Honourable Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous. Peoples’ Affairs delivered her Feature Address to the competitors and fans gathered and formally declared the Games open.
The Guyana Sport Shooting Federation extends best wishes for a productive weekend of activities.
Photo: Minister shooting (BACK TOP; 6 COLUMNS)
Caption: Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe takes perfect aim to officially begin archery at Heritage Games 2016. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon looks on in admiration
