Record numbers as Archery Guyana National Indoor Championships get underway

A record-breaking 56 archers have taken to the target mats at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall as the 2026 Archery Guyana National Indoor Championships officially commenced Saturday.

The tournament, which stands as the largest indoor archery competition in the Federation’s history, features a mix of seasoned international competitors and a surging field of debutants.

Opening the event, Archery Guyana President Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon praised the sport’s rapid development across the country.

She noted that the unprecedented turnout reflects a renewed energy within the Guyanese archery community, bringing together clubs, coaches, and families in a shared pursuit of national excellence.

To combat the intense physical demands of a high-stakes indoor format, the Federation has significantly boosted its sports science and athlete welfare protocols for 2026.

Professional physiotherapist Reshonah Gordon is leading the medical and recovery team on-site.

The initiative operates in partnership with the National Sports Clinic and the Ministry of Health, Guyana, aiming to mirror international standards of athlete care and performance enhancement.

On the shooting line, operations are being strictly managed by a team of National Archery Judges led by Director of Shooting, Ryan McKinnon.

Alongside line judges Robert Singh and Afzal Karim, the technical team is utilising the international Ianseo software system to manage live scoring and results verification.

The growth of the sport has drawn substantial backing from both public and private sectors.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, alongside Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, provided critical facility support to host the historic turnout.

Additionally, corporate backing from Guyana Beverages Inc. has secured vital hydration infrastructure for the athletes over the gruelling weekend schedule.

The action intensifies on Sunday as the ranking rounds give way to the knockout stages.

High-pressure match play is scheduled to resume in the morning, with the national finals set to conclude before midday to crown Guyana’s 2026 indoor champions.