GEORGETOWN, Guyana — The Guyana National Rifle Association (NRA) is gearing up to host the 2024 edition of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championship, scheduled from October 28 to November 4 at the Timehri Rifle Ranges, Yarrowcabra.
This prestigious event, which was last held in Guyana in 2017 during the NRA’s 150th Anniversary celebrations, will see participation from several nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the USA.
Though this year’s championship will miss the participation of English and Scottish shooters, the US Rifle Team, led by captain Yvonne Roberts, is set to compete for the first time. Alongside the Canadians, who are frequent contenders, they are expected to present strong competition for the West Indies shooters.
10 shooters
The Guyana NRA has been working closely with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) under the leadership of Brigadier Omar Khan to ensure the Timehri Rifle Ranges are in top condition. Recent upgrades have included enhancing the shooting banks, raising the safety backstop, and servicing the 24 target mechanisms. Infrastructural work is spearheaded by Vice President Mahendra Persaud and Fullbore Captain Dylan Fields, with Lennox Braithwaite overseeing the project as the NRA liaison.
The host nation, Guyana, is defending its titles in both the Short and Long Range categories. The Guyanese team, comprising 10 shooters, includes seasoned competitors like Mahendra Persaud, Dylan Fields, Lennox Braithwaite, and Peter Persaud, as well as first-time participant and lone female competitor, Althea Alleyne.
Guyana’s national team recently performed strongly at the 2023 Bisley Championships in England, where they won the Junior Kalapore Trophy, with standout performances from Peter Persaud and Lennox Braithwaite in the King’s Prize stages.
The event’s Patron, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has expressed full support for the championship and is expected to fire the ceremonial first shot to mark the start of the competition.
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