New Board of Directors elected for Archery Guyana – Khan, Persaud-McKinnon, Hing to lead

A new body of directors has been elected to lead Archery Guyana Inc into its next period, following Tuesday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the National Resource Centre on Woolford Avenue.
Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, elected Secretary-General at this AGM, delivered a comprehensive report to the membership, giving a brief background of Archery Guyana Inc, from its establishment in August 2014 to the end of the reporting period of 30th August, 2018. She reported on the status of the new website; membership; and the World Archery Level 1 Coach Training Course, which was deemed a historic success, with participation from Regions 1, 4, 7, 8 and 9.
Nineteen participants duly completed that course and were awarded certificates. They have since returned to the various regions of their domicile to commence coaching so as to start the next phase to move Archery to a National Sport in Guyana.

Persaud-McKinnon also reflected on the exciting news, in May this year at the Official Opening Ceremony, when Director of Sport Christopher Jones announced that discussions were being held in regard to the inclusion of Archery in the annual National Schools Championships; and as such, coordinating and collaborating with Archery Guyana to ensure this programme happens is part of the National Sports Commission’s work programme.
It was also reported that Archery Guyana has since submitted to the NSC a list of schools where various certified coaches have been working, and their contact details. International events were also reported on, such as the recent World Archery Americas’ General Assembly 2018, held in Medellin, Colombia on August 18, 2018, and at which Guyana was for the first time represented.
The national pistol shooter also reported that new club Treasurer Nicholas Hing recently returned from an Archery Training Camp and Coaching Seminar funded by Pan-Am Sports and coordinated by World Archery Americas in collaboration with the Colombian Olympic Committee in Medellin, Colombia.
The Camp and Seminar, which followed on the heels of the World Archery Americas General Assembly and the conclusion of the Pan American and Parapan Championships, were conducted by top level experts in various fields of the sport, and attended by a total of 32 archers and 39 coaches from 22 countries. This training camp and seminar were a boost for Archery Guyana’s development programme.

Practice Sessions
Indoor and outdoor practice sessions were reported on as continuing with the kind permission of the NSC and the Ministry, at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue and at the Carifesta Sports Complex Ground on Carifesta Avenue. Collaboration with International Bodies was reported on, such as World Archery where Archery Guyana was shortlisted as eligible to receive level 1 equipment donated from WA, and have since received a Level 1 Kit.
Collaboration continues also with World Archery Americas, where local activities continue to be published in the monthly bulletins which are shared internationally. This year, through the representations of World Archery, Archery Guyana received from Easton and Hoyt donations of some equipment to assist with its development work.
In regard to Heritage Games, Archery Tournament, Archery Guyana, for the past 3 years, proudly hosted the national archery competition for the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs’ Heritage Games during Heritage Month in September. This year, it was reported, Archery Guyana was again invited to do so, September 22-23, with the usual 2-day tournament with participants from indigenous communities and members of the general public.
The Heritage Games will take the usual barebow format to remain traditional, in keeping with the heritage celebrations, and will feature this year an Olympic Recurve Bow Display by the duly certified coaches from the regions. It is also envisaged that Archery Guyana will soon start a Para-Archery Programme. This is an area Archery Guyana will explore to ensure that all persons with disabilities are also given an opportunity to participate in an Olympic sport.

Fundraisers:
Archery Guyana, from time to time, seeks to host fundraising events. For the past 2 years, Archery Guyana assisted with the Archery Fundraiser at St Joseph Mercy Hospital Christmas Fair. On the last occasion, its entire proceeds were donated to assist with the building of a Home for the Elderly.

NSC – National Sports Commission
The National Sports Commission has been very supportive of Archery Guyana in so many ways, with access to the various sporting facilities. The elections for the new Board of Directors then commenced under the duly elected Returning Officer, Attorney-at-Law and Honorary Counsel to Japan, Kashir Khan, who officially released the following information after the democratic and transparent electoral process in the presence of an independent observer from the National Sports Commission, Mr. Seon Erskine.
Members had to cast a secret vote for the position of Treasurer, with two strong contenders locked in a close vote: Mr. Robert Singh and Mr. Nicholas Hing.
Sincere gratitude was expressed to the various persons who assisted in one way or the other for 2018: The Honourable Minister George Norton, Minister of Social Cohesion; Director of Sport Mr Christopher Jones; National Sports Commission; President of the GSSF, 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 the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation; Demerara Distillers Ltd; Mr Shameer Mohamed; the Management of Ocean Spray Hotel, Mr Mark Singh; the Management of Carib Foods; Demerara Distillers Limited; Mr Ramesh Ghir; Guyana Tourism Authority; Dr Pravesh Harry; Mr Balkarran Sukhu; Riverview Welding and Marine Supplies; Mr Robert Singh; Mr L.P. Shivraj; Massy Industries; New GPC Inc; Guyana Times; Mr Ray Beharry; members of Archery Guyana, and the media.
The Financial Report was presented to the membership, and was duly approved. Two motions were unanimously passed: to retain external auditor Mr Harryram Parmesar from the Parmesar Audit Firm, and to adopt the amended Constitution.