Team Guyana Takes Aim: Archery Makes History on Home Soil As 75 Athletes and Officials Prepare for Regional Showdown.

Sunday, Oct 18

The bows are ready, the Golden Arrowhead is flying high, and Team Guyana is preparing to make its mark as the country welcomes the Caribbean, Central America and the wider international archery community for a landmark week of competition.

With 75 athletes representing Guyana, the nation is poised to take centre stage at the International Archery Championships, scheduled for October 22–25, 2026, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The championships represent a significant milestone for Guyanese sport, bringing together regional archers, experienced competitors, developing talent, coaches, technical officials and administrators in an event designed to strengthen sporting relationships, raise competitive standards and expand opportunities for archery throughout the Caribbean and the Americas.

For Guyana, the occasion carries a dual responsibility: to compete with distinction and to demonstrate its capacity to host a major international sporting event with professionalism, pride and the warmth of Guyanese hospitality.

The Guyanese contingent gathered on Sunday, October 18, at the Ramada Princess Hotel, Providence, for an official team briefing chaired by Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, President of Archery Guyana Inc. and Chair of the Local Organising Committee.

The session focused on competition readiness, discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork, mental preparation and the responsibility of representing Guyana before a regional and international audience.

Addressing the team, Mrs. Persaud-McKinnon reminded athletes that wearing the national colours means carrying the country's name, values and reputation onto the field of play. “You are not simply participating in a competition. You are representing Guyana,” she emphasised.

She encouraged every member of the contingent to approach the championships with commitment, humility, courage and determination, while respecting fellow competitors, officials and visiting delegations.

She also reminded athletes that success should not be measured by medals alone. Personal improvement, resilience, sportsmanship and the ability to give one's best under pressure are equally important measures of achievement. “I cannot promise you medals, perfect scores or easy matches. No one can. What I can ask of you is that you give this championship your commitment, your courage and your very best effort.”

Her message to the team was clear: every arrow matters, every athlete matters, and every interaction offers an opportunity to represent Guyana positively.

MORE THAN ARCHERY: YOUNG ATHLETES AS AMBASSADORS FOR GUYANA

Mr. Ryan McKinnon, Guyana's Head Coach and Junior Technical Delegate for the Championships, reinforced the importance of discipline, preparation, teamwork and making the most of the opportunity to compete in an international championship at home.

He challenged the younger members of Team Guyana to look beyond the shooting line and recognise that they also have a role in showcasing the country to visiting athletes and officials.

Drawing on their Social Studies lessons, he encouraged them to engage visitors in conversations about Guyana's geography, history and cultural identity, including the country's major rivers, traditional foods and other features that make Guyana unique.

The message was that representing Guyana extends beyond athletic performance. It also means sharing the country's story, demonstrating its hospitality and ensuring that visitors leave with positive memories of their experience.

In a lighter moment, Mr. McKinnon reminded the athletes of one of the privileges of competing on home soil: “The best part is sleeping in your own bed and having home cooked food.”

The advice reflects one of archery's most important lessons: athletes cannot change an arrow that has already been released, but they can control their preparation, composure and approach to the next shot.

The briefing also featured contributions from Mrs. Narda Mohamed-Mangra, who was appointed Team Manager. She highlighted the importance of coordination, communication and collective responsibility in supporting the delegation throughout the championships.

Ms. Lourdes Mederos, appointed Head Coach for the championships, will play a role in guiding and supporting the athletes during competition.

Mr. Saeed Karim, one of the two Results Managers, also addressed the team on the importance of accurate results management and the technical processes that underpin the fair and efficient administration of an international tournament and the official scoring software, Ianseo.

The distribution of team bags and uniforms further reinforced the shared identity and purpose of the contingent as its members prepare to represent the Golden Arrowhead.

Behind every athlete is a wider network of coaches, managers, technical personnel, volunteers, administrators, families and supporters whose contributions help make international participation possible.

Archery Guyana Inc. expresses its sincere gratitude to Honourable Minister Charles Ramson Jnr. and Minister within the Ministry Honourable Steven Jacobs for their support and commitment to the development of sport in Guyana.

Appreciation is also extended to the National Sports Commission and its Director for their continued role in supporting national sporting development and the advancement of Guyanese athletes.

Special thanks are conveyed to Mr. Godfrey Munroe, President of the Guyana Olympic Association, and the Executive Committee of the Guyana Olympic Association for their support and contribution to Guyana's sporting movement.

The association recognises that hosting a championship of this scale requires cooperation across the sporting community, government, the private sector and the many individuals who work behind the scenes. Their contributions help turn an ambitious sporting vision into a reality.

Mrs. Persaud-McKinnon challenged the team to seize the moment and help establish a lasting legacy for the sport. “Let us demonstrate that Guyana is not merely a country capable of hosting international archery competitions, but a country that is developing archers who can compete with confidence, discipline and distinction on the regional and international stage.”

As the countdown reaches its final hours, Team Guyana stands ready to take aim—not only at the target, but at new possibilities for the future of archery in Guyana and the Caribbean.

The call to Guyana is simple: come out, support our archers, celebrate our visitors and show the Caribbean the very best of Guyana.

Team Guyana comprises the following members:

1. Suzanne Affonso
2. Shianne Affonso-Simon
3. Emily Simon
4. Aalim Kahn
5. Eslyne Gomes
6. Jo-Lee Zammet
7. Errol Toppin
8. Zareya Bacchus
9. Sean Duncan
10. Neepa Chaturgum
11. Alec Simmons
12. Nehan Chaturgum
13. Brandon Cummings
14. Melesa Ramnaraine
15. Trevaughn Waldron
16. Lucas Chung
17. Saifullah Gani
18. Fatima Gani
19. Faraad Gani
20. Mehandra Chatargum
21. Juanita Persaud
22. Anna Headley
23. Emma Chunilall
24. Ezekiel Hernandez
25. Jeremiah Archer
26. Nathan Fredericks
27. Nolan Gray
28. Shiva Tularam
29. Tumaini Fredericks
30. Trichell Sobers
31. Dorian Dhanraj
32. Courtlee Rodrigues
33. Teemahall Lall
34. Karin Toppin
35. Jeewanram Persaud
36. Julie-Ann Williams
37. Anand Mangra
38. Gerard Mekdeci
39. Jahleel Farley
40. Divavasu Raghunauth
41. Aden Rodrigues
42. Timothy Sukhu
43. Nicholas Sukhu
44. Dwain Albert
45. Samiyyah La Cruez
46. Addison Jagnandan
47. Aleandra Rodrigues
48. Tejasvi Raghunauth
49. Ravish Singh
50. Wayne DeAbreu
51. Kaia Singh
52. Daniel Cox
53. Antonio Heber
54. Christopher Cooblall
55. Selima Blackman
56. Victoria Kum
57. Zayd Mohamed
58. Amani Levi
59. Ryan Chabenauth
60. Dessea Seetaram
61. Grayson Hooper
62. Barak-Gabar Beni-sreal
63. Prabhakar Gangadhara
64. Arshad Hoosein
65. Erlando Mosely
66. Nicolai Mahagni
67. Laurence Lowe
68. Richard Dookie
69. Samira Duncan
70. Sadeke Sandy
71. Jaza Percival
72. Shane Arinda
73. Samuel George
74. Sarah Ali
75. Devin Permaul

Mr. McKinnon also encouraged athletes to remain mentally focused throughout the competition, particularly when faced with the inevitable pressures of international sport. “Do not shoot the last arrow again in your mind. Focus on the next arrow in front of you.”Archery Guyana also gratefully acknowledges Guyana Beverages Inc., Oasis Water, Cirkel Distributors, Elle & Vire, Massy Distribution, Soldanza, Seven Seas, Nestle Orchard, Nature's Heart, Arka Supplies, MVP Sports, Toucan Distributors, Queensway Security Service, International Business Services, Frozen Delight, the Chinese Association of Guyana, Revision Optical, Guyana China Friendship Society for their support of the championships. Such partnerships are invaluable in helping to create the conditions necessary for athletes to compete and for Guyana to deliver a successful international event.