Recently elected Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) President Ryan McKinnon said he’s happy with the direction the federation is heading in, adding that he hopes to continue playing a role in the progress.
With the positive direction the GSSF is headed towards, regarding its expansion as a fraternity, McKinnon told Guyana Times Sportin a recent interview that taking over the federation came with huge responsibility but he was still poised on continuing the good work.
“The GSSF has achieved much since its establishment, these achievements were not obtained via any singular feat or by holding an elitist authoritative approach to sport, nor did the administration/Board over the years have an ‘in the box vision’. Rather, the GSSF’s former board humbly performed its mandate to our
From left; Ryan McKinnon, former President Vidushi Persaud, Minister Nicolette Henry and Director of Sports Chris Jones back in 2016 when the GSSF won the National Sports Award for the ‘Most Improved Federation/Association.”
membership, shared information with the media and respectfully confirmed to criteria as set out by the various administrative entities and agencies from which services were sought,” said McKinnon.
The veteran marksman, who took over the president from former-head Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, said that as President he’s happy with the current position of the GSSF despite more to be done. “As President I’m happy to continue the modus operandi of the former executive and wish to further share my vision country wide as it relates to firearm safety while spreading the awareness of shooting sports to all counties.”
McKinnon continued “I believe with the support of the Board of Directors who are likeminded and focused on maintaining inclusivity and a democratic atmosphere resonates throughout the GSSF, the legacy left by former President Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon and her team, coupled with the support from our local sporting organizations and the Private Sector; can ensure that all sports will be widen across the horizon of Guyana”.
Regarding some of the challenges likely to be faced, McKinnon identified numerous areas in which he plans to place heavy emphasis on going forward. “The ability to obtain venues to host our sessions inclusive of practice, trainings, events and competitions is always a challenge. This is mainly due to the demand that is always present for the use of suitable venues, this demand not only due to the shortage of facilities but the fact that most of our social, economic and logistical activities are primarily focused within the county of Demerara.”
Meanwhile, the GSSF head said that apart from the pistol shooting aspect, Guyana are well on course with regards to becoming more centralized with indoor archery.
The deadeye concluded by praising Nicholas Hing, Chairman of Archery Guyana, as they have been instrumental in building several PVC bows to donate to some schools as a pilot programme by mid-2018, along with doing outreach to qualifying outlying areas so as to build the sport.
“Archery Guyana also has in the pipeline to host a certified international coach in Guyana who will conduct a training camp for its members and qualifying personnel. This camp is something which the GSSF will seek to support Archery Guyana financially and we have also extended the collaboration effort to the NSC,” he ended. (Clifton Ross)
