Press Release from Archery Guyana
The World Archery Americas General Assembly, which was held on April 11, 2024, in Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia was attended by representatives from 30 national federations of the Americas.
Representing Archery Guyana was Secretary General Nicholas Hing, who was also working as a Continental Judge at the Pan American Championships.
Seated at the head table were World Archery representative Mark Miller, World Archery Americas Secretary General Sergio Font, World Archery Americas President Maria Emma Gaviria, First Vice-President Federico Paiz and Vice-President Cesar Otarolla.
Delivering the opening speech after the Roll Call and Quorum Statement, was WAA President Maria Emma Gaviria, followed by a video message from World Archery Secretary General Tom Dielen. The minutes of the 2022 General Assembly, the President’s Report, and the Financial Report were then read and approved.
Development Activities and Strategic Plan were next on the agenda where it was noted that the Caribbean, being an important part of the Americas, has been steadily growing in the sport. There is need for developing this part of the region, thereby unifying the Americas as a whole, to be able to compete on the international stage.
Committee Reports were read, and motions and proposals put forward.
The position of First Vice-President went to Federico Paiz of Guatemala (GUA) and the positions of Vice-President (2 candidates) went to Tamara Jiminez (CUB) and Rubens Terra Neto (BRA).
From a list of six candidates, Sanjay Jiandani of St Vincent and the Grenadines (VIN) and Nikhil Kanhai of Trinidad and Tobago (TTO) were elected Council Members. Robert Pian (USA) and Andrea Aguilar (GUA) were elected to the Legal Matters Committee.
Sanjay Jiandani (VIN), and David Rahming Jr of the Bahamas (BAH), were elected to the Ethics Committee along with Juan Morelli of Uruguay (URU). Mary Emmons (USA) will now serve on the Finance and Audit Board, while Trina Roberts of Bermuda (BER) was re-elected to the Development Committee.
World Archery Americas Secretary General, Sergio Font was re-elected to serve on the Judges Committee, along with Andrew Neville (USA) and Liz Perez (MEX).
On the Medical Committee, Lena Orrego (COL) was elected to serve, while Daniel Campos (PER), Petra Ruocco Sanchez (BRA) and Jason Tabansky (USA) will serve on the Para Archery Committee.
Applications for organising and hosting events were also made by national federations.
From March 24-30, 2025, the first Qualifier for the CAC Games will be hosted in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
In July 2025, the Bahamas will host the Caribbean Development Championships in Nassau
In October 2025, the Pan American Field Championships will be held in the city of San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico. Also in October 2025, Chile will host the Pan American 3D Championships in Santiago, while the Pan American Indoor Championships will be hosted in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
For the South American Open Championships, there were three bidding countries: Argentina, Chile and Peru, but in a surprise twist, Argentina and Chile stepped down as candidates to allow Peru to be voted to host the games.
The Pan Am Junior Games Second Qualifier will be hosted in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as again in a show of camaraderie, Chile and Dominican Republic stepped aside to allow Argentina to be voted as host country.
In 2026, the Pan American Championships will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico from 24-29 March. In June, Medellin, Colombia will host the Pan American Youth Championships, while also in June, Lima, Peru will host the Para Pan American Championships.
After the elections ended, World Archery awards were given out, notably World Archery Americas awarded Nikhil Kanhai of Trinidad and Tobago Archery Federation for the exemplary and successful hosting of the Caribbean Development Championships 2023. Also receiving awards were USA Archery’s Phil Graves for his tireless work in developing archery in the Caribbean, and retired International Judge Bob Pian for his work throughout his career and for helping to make the Arizona Cup the success it is.
After the awards World Archery’s Mark Miller gave a speech followed by closing remarks by President Maria Emma Gaviria.
Further discussions for Archery development and other topics were had among delegates over dinner, some of which were Caribbean Development League, Guyana’s involvement the South American Games and the need for more support in all its forms.
