National boxers stranded in Cuba given approval to return home

President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, on Tuesday confirmed that the four national boxers stranded in Cuba have been given the necessary clearance and approval to return home.

“This information was given during informal discussion with the Director of Sport Christopher Jones. To date the GBA has received no official correspondence from the COVID-19 Task Force, which was written to over two weeks ago,” Ninvalle said in a press statement.

Ninvalle said systems are now being put in place to ensure “the mentally drained athletes” return home as soon as possible.

“All angles are being explored and no stone will be left unturned in what must now be viewed as national effort, as their trip to Cuba was with intention of representing Guyana at the AMBC Olympic Qualifier,” Ninvalle said.

He added, “The GBA has now written to the Guyana Olympic Association and the National Sports Commission to render assistance in returning the four boxers to Guyana. These two organisations joined forces in order to send the team to Cuba and it is hoped that this union will create a passage for its return.”

The boxers stranded in Cuba for the last 68 days are Light Welterweight Colin Lewis, Light Heavyweight Dennis Thomas, Middleweight Desmond Amsterdam and Bantamweight Keevin Allicock.

“Three of the four are breadwinners, so their unintentional and extended absence has negative economic impact for their respective families. The GBA remains committed to bringing back home the quartet at the earliest possible time,” Ninvalle concluded.