Youth archer Saifullah Gani and National Head Coach Ryan McKinnon recently returned home after completing the World Archery Continental Training Camp in El Salvador.
The high-level camp, held in Santa Tecla from November 1 to 8, was organized by World Archery Americas and supported by Olympic Solidarity, positioning Gani among an elite cohort of recurve archers from across the Americas.
Gani’s selection was based on strict criteria, including meeting mandatory minimum qualification scores (MQS).
The intensive programme at the world-class Jorge Jimenez Archery Range focused on advanced development, covering physical conditioning, strategic instruction, practice qualification rounds, and essential mental preparation techniques.
For Coach McKinnon, a World Archery Certified Level 2 Coach, the camp reaffirmed the national strategy of aligning local training with global best practices.
“This camp reinstates my trust in Guyana’s Archery Federation training policy,” McKinnon stated. “We have been focused on using techniques established by the World governing body (World Archery) to develop world-class athletes and instructors, allowing us to adopt what works globally.”
The camp provided Gani and McKinnon the opportunity to work alongside world-renowned figures, including Coach Derek Davis and Coach Filippo Clini, offering vital exposure to advanced techniques used at the highest levels of the sport.
McKinnon highlighted a crucial takeaway: the need for a higher training percentage allocated specifically for mental training.
“This can hold true across all sports; Guyana needs more Guyanese professionals in this field to work with our sports personnel,” he added, emphasizing that mental fortitude is key to unlocking elite-level performance. He also cautioned young archers against “breaking of bad habits” through unsupported online ‘training’ videos.Athlete’s Ambition
For the young archer, the experience provided clear direction for his future development.
“Going to the camp has helped me realise what I need to do to make myself a better archer,” Gani shared, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to absorb knowledge from the top coaches.
McKinnon praised his student’s determination: “Saifullah has shown great capacity for learning, and his determination to hone his skill set for more consistency will no doubt make for his future success in Archery.”
The successful participation of Gani and McKinnon, facilitated by the Guyana Olympic Association, signals Archery Guyana’s ongoing commitment to pushing its young athletes onto the international stage, with the aim of competing in higher-level continental and global competitions.
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