‘Guyana can top Latin America in boxing, but resources needed’- Ninvalle

By Akeem Greene

Despite the Guyanese boxers producing a dominant show to reclaim the Caribbean title, President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA),Steve Ninvalle, was conservative in his elation, noting that more work needs to done if the country is to return to its glory days.

Ninvalle is appealing for more resources so the country’s best talents can achieve their true potential.

“We would want to do much better, but we can only do that with the resources presented and trust me, if we have resources Guyana will not only be the top in the Caribbean but the top in Latin America.”

He added, “This is something in process, we are not going to get a quick fix to boxing as people like to talk of the good old days. We are not going to reach back to the good old days if we do have the resources needed. We are trying on string budgets and we have been able to host this twice within four years.”

The GBA boss was speaking after the culmination of the four-day championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall where Guyana copped 15 medals, inclusive of 10 gold, three silver and two bronze. Of the eight visiting countries, Trinidad and Tobago finished second with 10 medals and Barbados third on eight.

The inspiring performances by some youth boxers leaves Ninvalle touting, there is better to come.

“Some of the competition was of a high quality. It is good for the competition and the region we are having competition of a higher quality,” he said.

However, all still does not sit well with Ninvalle, “we need the necessary finances to send our boxers to international tournaments, to send our coaches to refresher courses, to have our boxers encamped for a longer period. We have been able to encamp our team maybe five or six days before this tournament, that is not adequate in the world but they came out and performed to their best.”

Given the magnitude of the championships and talents assembled, Ninvalle, who is also an executive on the International Boxing Association, will be pushing for the body to accept the championships as a qualifier to the Pan-American Games.

The championships had many standout performers with Guyana’s Keevin Allicock being deemed the best boxer; Abiloa Jackman won the award for best female, while Christopher Moore was the best youth and Quincy Boyce, best novice.