Board members of the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation paid a courtesy call on the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and presented documents which were adopted at the 2015 AGM of the G.S.S.F. held on the 29 January, 2015. The Foundation was lauded by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Alfred King as the first body to do so for 2015, in keeping with the requirements set out by the MCY&S and the National Sports Commission for all sport organisations in Guyana. These included copies of the Foundation’s Report for 2014 together with externally audited Financial Statements, and a copy of their updated Constitution.
During the visit the Board members discussed with the Ministry its plans for the future and gave an update as to the accomplishments in 2014. They also previewed the happenings of the recent AGM where President of the G.S.S.F., Ms. Vidushi Persaud categorically stated that the success has been due to all of the members who un-hesitatingly came on board to promote sport shooting in Guyana in a safe and well regulated manner. She paid tribute to the work of the Directors of the founding Board who have all given so freely of their time and energies to make 2014 the success it has been.
At the AGM, the Secretary of the G.S.S.F., Mr. Steve Ninvalle delivered a comprehensive Report to the membership, from establishment in August 2014 to the end of the reporting period of 31 December 2014. He indicated that though a young entity, the Foundation has successfully hosted two Steel Challenge competitions and a Practical Shooting Match and saw members participating in two international matches earning for Guyana prizes for Practical Shooting and also conducted three of the G.S.S.F.’s Range Discipline & Firearms Safety Courses utilising Government’s National Sport Resource Centre.
The Secretary further reported on affiliations, stating that the G.S.S.F. is affiliated to two international bodies, the Steel Challenge Shooting Association and the Amateur Trapshooting Association. Affiliation was also sought to the United States Practical Shooting Association and all duly completed and required documents were forwarded to the Regional Director of Guyana representing the International Practical Shooting ConFoundation for signature which is still pending.
In relation to local affiliations, the G.S.S.F. is sanctioned by the N.S.C. and sought affiliation to the Guyana National Rifle Association in keeping with their Constitution. Such an affiliation would allow for open and equal participation for all registered local sport shooters both locally and internationally. Though not yet affiliated the G.S.S.F. will continue to welcome the participation of established practical shooters of the Guyana NRA in their Practical Pistol Matches through match invitations which are currently sent to the Secretary of the Guyana NRA.
Through partnership with the MCY&S and the N.S.C. the G.S.S.F. has secured permissions to utilise an Indoor facility in the National Gymnasium and an Outdoor Facility (Ministry of Sport - GNS Ground) and will be pioneering the sport of Archery in the very near future.
Sincere gratitude were expressed to the following persons who assisted in one way or the other for 2014: The Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Director of Sport, Mr. Neil Kumar, the National Sports Commission, Chief of Staff, Brig. Mark Phillips, the Guyana Defence Force, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Seelal Persaud, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Revenue Authority, Mr. Dennis Dias, DD Signs, Dr. Pravesh Harry, Doc.com Pharmacy, Mr. Harish Lakhanpal, Capital Recycling Inc., Trophy Stall, Rohandev and Harrinand Persaud, Kings Jewellery World, Mr. Ryan McKinnon, Neutrino Inc., Mr. Julius Simon, Ken’s Mufflers, the Media, the Founding Board and members of the G.S.S.F.
The Report of the Auditors was presented to the membership along with the Financial Statement of the G.S.S.F. This was duly conducted and issued by Auditor, Mr. Harryram Parmesar from the Parmesar Audit Firm.
Mr. King congratulated the G.S.S.F. on their achievements to date and being able to achieve clear success in a short period of time. He lauded the Board on being able to produce audited financial statements by an external auditor and expressed the hope that other sporting organisations can follow suit.
(In picture below: From left to right: Dr. Bhiro Harry, Mr. Ryan McKinnon, Ms. Vidushi Persaud, Permanent Secretary MCY&S, Mr. Alfred King and Mr. Roul Bhudu)
(In picture below: From left to right: Ryan McKinnon, Vidushi Persaud, Steve Ninvalle and Michael Blake)
