McKINNON First to Hoist The EL DORADO TRADING STEEL CHALLENGE CUP J. CHIN Second & V. PERSAUD Third

The Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (G.S.S.F.) in commemoration of their 1^st Anniversary, on Saturday 27^th June, 2015, hosted a Steel Challenge Shooting Association Tier 1 Match which was exclusively sponsored by El Dorado Trading of Lot 136 Young Street, Kingston, Georgetown.

Steel Challenge shooting is touted as the fastest shooting competition in the world. The GSSF match consisted of three sanctioned S.C.S.A. stages (Smoke & Hope, Roundabout and Accelerator) with shooters competing in two Divisions: Limited and Wildcat.

In every stage competitors were required to shoot five steel targets, positioned at various angles and distances, one of which is designated as a “Stop plate” which is shot last. Registering a hit on the stop plate stops the time. The total time it takes to hit all five plates is used for the score (your time is your score.) Any misses add 3 penalties seconds to the time per miss. The best 4 out of 5 strings make up the total time per stage and ultimately the shooter with lowest time (score) wins. 

The competition requirements were as simple as the scoring, the shooter would assume his/her position in a 3 feet square shooting box with hands above their shoulders, upon the beep of the electronic timer, he/she would then draw their firearm and shoot at the targets, the timer stops when the shooter hits the stop plate. 

In her opening remarks, Match Director, Ms. Vidushi Persaud welcomed members who came out to take part in the premiere 1^st Anniversary Event, encouraged shooters to have a safe fun Match with the incentive of leaving with the beautiful Trophies up for grabs and declared the Match open. Range Master, Mr. Ryan McKinnon reviewed the safety requirements and reminded everyone of the Rules of a Steel Challenge Match. Thereafter, the cool Saturday afternoon air was punctuated by the melodic pings of lead impacting steel.

The first stage named "Smoke & Hope" saw targets set at various distances with the Stop Plate located closest the shooting box. This caused some excitement as seasoned shooters missed the fairly close stop plate and had to take follow-up shots in order to stop the clock ticking.

The second stage named "Roundabout" saw targets set at closer distances but in somewhat of a tricky arrangement, which caused shooters to engage them in random orders as they each felt was best.

The third stage named "Accelerator" caused both the shooter’s trigger finger action and their heart-beat to accelerate as they engaged the various targets set in a challenging layout. All eyes were glued to GSSF’s electronic time display board which was reflecting live shot per shot time from the electronic timer, there were many anxious glances directed towards the board from shooters as they battled it out, pushing for faster times.

One of the attractions of this GSSF’s First Anniversary Match, was that members shooting full power handguns (Limited Division) were competing for the privilege of holding the El Dorado Trading Steel Challenge Cup.

After putting up a fleeting total time for all three stages in the match, which amounted to under a minute of actual shooting, match favourite and Guyana’s Top handgun shooter Ryan McKinnon left the range with more bragging rights as the first recipient of this prestigious Cup, after holding off a challenge from veteran shooter Joseph Chin who was in turn chased by GSSF’s President Ms. Vidushi Persaud who came in third place.

Managing Director of El Dorado Trading, Mr. Tamesh Jagmohan, indicated that this will be a Challenge Trophy which McKinnon will have to defend next year during the month of June in honour of the anniversary of the GSSF. Each year the winner’s name and corresponding year will be affixed to the Cup’s base.

Ms. Persaud conveyed thanks to El Dorado Trading for sponsoring this First Anniversary Steel Challenge Match. She commended the Match Committee, Range Master, Range Officers, Stats Officer- Dr. Pravesh Harry and shooters for ensuring the efficiency and safety standard with which the match was run.

Additional trophies were presented by Mr. Pavasky Jagmohan of El Dorado Trading to the top three overall in each division. See results below.

The Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation wishes to thank the Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Phillips, GDF Colonel Benn, GPF Commissioner Persaud, GPF Asst. Commissioner Ramnarine, GPF Commander Hicken, GPF OC TSU Superintendent Dehnert, GPF Corporal Dunn and the ranks of the GPF Armoury and TSU.

The Foundation also expressed sincere thanks to Mr. Tamesh Jagmohan of El Dorado Trading, Mr. Mohamed Qualander of Queensway and Mr. Lennox Khush of Starr Party Rental.

The GSSF, an affiliate of the Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA), will continue to host this action-packed shooting sport to local pistol shooters by organising such matches on a regular basis. 

In Photo below, GSSF Members commemorate its First Anniversary:

In photo below, Prize Winners with representatives of El Dorado Trading

In photo below: 2015 Winner of the El Dorado Trading Steel Challenge Cup. Ryan McKinnon receives Cup from Pavasky Jagmohan and Tamesh Jagmohan of El Dorado Trading