As the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) continues to prepare the Timehri Rifle Ranges for the 150th Anniversary celebrations, the business community is beginning to respond to calls for assistance to complete the massive infrastructural works.
At the first Statutory Meeting of the newly elected Executive Council of the GNRA, held at the Guyana Defence Force’s Conference Room, CEO of Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc., Harold Hopkinson, made a sizable donation towards the works.
President of the GNRA, Brig. Patrick West, received the cheque on behalf of the Association. Hopkinson, who is also a former Smallbore Captain in the Association and presently the Association’s IPSC Regional Director, stated that he sees his contribution going a long way towards the development of the shooting sport in Guyana.
A section of the range is being developed with multiple berms being built to facilitate the various stages of smallbore competition. With the completion of the new smallbore range it would enable the Association to hold smallbore Championships at an international level.
In addition, Hopkinson made a second donation towards the training of Guyanese shooter Lennox Braithwaite. This will enable the Commonwealth Games bound shooter, as part of his training, to participate in the annual Bisley Champions.
Brig. Patrick West expressed gratitude on behalf of the Association for the donations from Hopkinson and expressed hope that other businesses will be able to also come on board with the Association as it prepares to host the Anniversary Shoot in October.
The Executive Council also named its two-man shooting team to represent Guyana at the Commonwealth Games in March 2018, being held in Australia.
Fullbore Captain Mahendra Persaud and Braithwaite were selected. There were five shortlisted shooters, with the other three being Messrs Ransford Goodluck, Dylan Fields and Leo Romalho. The selectees will commence preparation with the completion of the fullbore ranges. The Guyana Olympic Association has also made a contribution toward the selectees training.
