Brigadier Mark Philips is new GNRA President

Guyana Defence Force Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Mark Philips was last Monday elected President of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) at the Annual General Meeting of the association held  at the Police Officers Mess, Eve Leary.

Phillips, who accepted the nomination in keeping with the GNRA constitution, was absent from the meeting.

He replaced retired Chief-of-Staff Rear Admiral Gary Best who served as president for several years.

Also returning to office were Vice Presidents Assistant Commissioner of Police (rtd) Paul Slowe and Senior Counsel Richard `Dickie’ Fields.

The Ex-Officio Vice Presidents are Lt. Col Wilbert Lee of the GDF and ACP George Vyphius.

Ryan Sampson was reelected secretary but there is a new treasurer in Ray Beharry who replaces L.t Col Terrence Stuart.

Stuart, however, is now one of two auditors, the other being Leo Romalho. Hemant Narine was reelected assistant secretary/treasurer while Mahendra Persaud and Dylan Fields were returned as captain and vice-captain respectively of the full bore section.

Mark Philips
Mark Philips
Brigadier Mark Philips and executive body of the GNRA
Brigadier Mark Philips and executive body of the GNRA

Dale Hing and Gordon Richards were returned as small bore captain and vice-captain respectively while the committee members are Vidushi Persaud, Dr. Johan DaSilva and Lennox Braithwaite.

Sampson, in his report, stated that while  there has been an increase in membership, some members were not participating in activities of the GNRA.

He said the media has been very supportive of the work of the GNRA and he praised them for the coverage given.

Sampson also reported that the association has been stalled in its pursuit of an indoor range and club house after the proposed site where a piece of land was allocated at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, proved unfavourable.

Full bore captain Persaud reported that 2013 was another successful year for the association with Guyana retaining the regional long range title but losing the short range title to Jamaica at the West Indies full bore shooting championships in Barbados.

Guyana also hosted a team from Great Britain ahead of the regional tournament at the Timehri ranges. Three Guyanese shooters Lennox Braithwaite, Mahendra Persaud and Sigmund Douglas were also named to the West Indies team for the Imperial Shoot at Bisley, England.

Hing reported on the local competitions and visits to Trinidad and Suriname which saw credible performances by the members. He, however, lamented the great shortage of ammunition which immensely affected the shooting programme and expressed the hope that local dealers will be able to meet the demands of the GNRA small bore section.

The association lauded the support of its patron, President Donald Ramotar, for his continued assistance as well as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Service, the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Customs and Trade Administration.

The GNRA also expressed gratitude to members of the business community that supported the association including Crown Mining Inc., Industrial Safety Supplies, Queensway, Modern Optical Services, Demerara Mutual Life Assurance, Banks DIH, Citizens Bank, Scotia Bank, Noble House Seafoods, North American Resources, JAParts, Sterling Products, Citizens Bank, Bank of Guyana and Mohamed’s General Store and others who choose not to be named.