Team Guyana has once again done Archery Guyana proud at the sixth Caribbean Development Championship 2024, which was held in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, from September 19-22.
Seven countries competed, namely Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.
The ranking rounds were held on September 20 and the following were the ranking scores for the men: Mehandra Chatargum (636), Jeewanram Persaud (619), Faraad Gani (606), Saifullah Gani (606), Gregory McKoy (605), Teemahall Lall (530), Richard Dookie (492), Saeed Karim (483), Alec Simmons (460) and Afzal Karim (424).
The women’s ranking scores were: Juanita Persaud (627), Melesa Ramnaraine (600), Roshini Boodhoo (559), Fatima Gani (552), Julie-Ann Williams (502), Karin Toppin (425), Naudia Maraj (415), Nataliya Pollard (408) and Theresa Jaikishun-Deoroop (306).
The elimination matches were held on September 21, which saw some very exciting matches with the archers aiming for the top brackets in the medal matches for the following day at the Plantation Cove venue.
The semi-final and final matches were played the following day with more excitement as there were surprises and upsets among archers shooting for gold.
While host nation Jamaica took a larger medal count: 25 (eight gold, 12 silver and five bronze), Guyana won a total of 23 medals (15 gold, five silver and three bronze) with the most gold medals in the entire competition.
Last year’s Recurve Mixed Team power couple Jeewanram Persaud and Roshini Boodhoo took the gold again in this year’s Mixed Team matches, as did last year’s Barebow Mixed Team of Teemahall Lall and Nataliya Pollard.
Trinidad and Tobago followed with a total of 13 medals (seven gold, three silver and three bronze); The British Virgin Islands took a total of seven medals (two gold, two silver and three bronze); Bahamas’ medal total was six (three gold, one silver and two bronze); Barbados followed with five (four silver and one bronze); and USA two gold medals.
Additionally, in the mixed teams where archers from two different countries were paired, Jamaica and Guyana won silver, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago won bronze, and Guyana and Barbados won bronze.
A special award was presented to World Archery Americas Development Committee Chair Philip Graves for his tireless commitment to the Caribbean Development Championships, and to archery.
Also receiving gifts of recognition from the Jamaican Archery Association were the head coaches of each country.
President of Archery Guyana, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon expressed her immense pride in Guyana’s representation in Jamaica with such an incredible success.
According to her, every one of the participants from various affiliated clubs in Guyana performed to their best.
“They brought their very best to the field, and it is their talent, dedication and perseverance that truly made this tournament special. Without their commitment, countless hours of training, and perseverance through all obstacles, none of this would have been possible,” Persaud-McKinnon said.
“I am reminded of how far we’ve come from 2018 when Archery Guyana hosted the inaugural Level One coaching seminar. The global pandemic may have slowed us down for a couple of years, but within five years, despite the downtime, here we are, on the international stage, coming home with a very shiny collection of medals.”
The Guyanese archers impressed all who saw them compete and demonstrated true sportsmanship towards their fellow competitors while making friends at the same time.
The Team was led by the following officials: Nicholas Hing- Chef-de-Mission/Head Coach; Saeed Karim- Team Logistics Coordinator/Archer; Roshini Boodhoo- Team Manager/Archer; Jeewanram Persaud- Coach/Archer; Juliana Rickhee- Team Support Coordinator; and Shrikanta Deoroop- Team Photographer.
Archery Guyana remains committed to fostering the development of its athletes and raising the profile of the sport both locally and internationally.
The federation is grateful for the support of its affiliates, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the National Sports Commission, the Guyana Olympic Association, Guyana Beverages Inc., World of Flowers, the Guyanese public and the media.
The Board of Directors of Archery Guyana wishes to extend a massive thank you to World Archery Americas, the Jamaican Archery Federation, the organisers and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly.
A special commendation is extended to Coach Phil Graves – his leadership and expertise have been pivotal in making this event what it is, and his commitment to the development of archery in our region has been invaluable. (Archery Guyana Press Release)
