Guyana to host rifle shooting 2017 championships

Following the successful hosting of the 2016 edition of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council (WIFBSC) Short Range championships at the Crabbs Rifle Range, Antigua and Barbuda from May 16-22, the Caribbean body’s flag was passed on to Guyana which will host the 2017 edition.

President of the Antigua and Barbuda Shooting Club which hosted this year’s West Indies championships, Thomas Greenaway handed over the WIFBSC Flag to Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Fullbore Captain, Mahendra Persaud at the awards ceremony for this year’s competition which took at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Saturday last.

In accepting the flag, Persaud told the gathering of fellow shooters and special invitees that it is a distinct pleasure for the GuyanaNRA to be hosting again from October 15-22, 2017 having last hosted in 2012.

“Hosting this time around however would be extra special as it coincides with our 150th anniversary as an association. We are the oldest national rifle association in the world outside that of Great Britain. We look forward to seeing all of you in Guyana next year for what will be, I can assure you, an unforgettable time.”

Persaud, who guided Guyana to a come from behind and successful defense of the WIFBSC Short Range Championship further informed that they are expecting well over 100 shooters from the Caribbean and further afield including England and Canada to be in Guyana next year.

Competitors next year will be battling at both the short (300, 500, 600 yards) and long range (900, 1000 yards) in what is anticipated to be fierce competition. Guyana will be putting both the short and long range championships on the line and will be looking to recapture the Individual title which was taken by Jamaica this year in Antigua.

Persaud said that preparations have already commenced for the 2017 edition and they will leave no stone unturned in making 150th truly memorable on and off the range.

“We will be working assiduously towards running an efficient competition next year with eth over 100 shooters we are anticipating that will be here along with their families in some instances. This will be a good opportunity to further showcase Guyana and we will be making approaches to the Government and private sector to get on board and partner with us for this special occasion.”