GBA boosting juniors’ success with steady competitions

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) is leaving no stones unturned as it gears up to defend its title at the Caribbean School Boys Boxing Championships, slated for August 17-19 in Guyana.

GBA President, Steve Ninvalle, speaking to News Room Sport at the weekend, revealed that the association will be having competitions for the school boys and juniors every two weeks beginning June 9 at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis gym in Albouystown.

The third edition of the three-day Caribbean event caters cater for schools boys (ages 12-14) and juniors (ages 15-16)  and would have seen hosts Guyana dominate the previous edition by winning six gold medals and two silver ahead of second place Trinidad and Tobago, who ended with four gold and four silver medals.

Hoping to stick to the same script, Ninvalle wants to build the capacity of new clubs, such as Hands In Glove of Mahdia, Savannah of Lethem, Moruca Power Right Boxing Gym and Bartica Blazing Rocket of Region Seven.

“We will be hosting these tournaments under the flagship of Pepsi and they will have a special novices category for both school boys and juniors so as to eliminate seasoned campaigners coming against new comers,” Ninvalle conveyed.

Additionally, he noted that Sebert Blake, who is one of two International Boxing Association (AIBA) three-star coaches in the country, will coordinate the competitions.

Countries such as Jamaica, St. Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Cayman Islands, and French Guiana are slated to make the trip to the ‘Land of Many Waters’ for the Caribbean championships.