Chinese Embassy donates $1.5M in boxing gear to MCY&S

Oct 14, 2008 Sports

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Jungao (centre) inspects the equipment along with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Frank Anthony (left) and Director of Sport Neil Kumar.

The boxing fraternity in Guyana received a significant boost with the donation of $1.5M worth of equipment to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport from the Chinese Embassy.

The presentation was done at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) by Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Jungao to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Frank Anthony in the presence of the Ministry’s Director of Sport Neil Kumar.

The gear included 65 pairs of boxing gloves, 65 pieces of boxing helmets, 63 pairs of boxing shoes, 30 pieces of boxing athletic supporters, 65 mouth pieces and 10 pieces of pear ball.

Minister Anthony assured the ambassador that efforts will be made to ensure that the equipment benefit several boxing clubs and help athletes prepare for future regional games next year and further a-field.

“Boxing is one of the sports that we have traditionally been strong in and I am sure that with this assistance we will be able to strengthen our sport,” Minister Anthony said.

Only one month ago the Chinese Embassy donated similar equipment to the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) and according to the Chinese Ambassador this is another example of the friendly relations which have been existing for over 30 years between China and Guyana and which expanded following the recent visit by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

He described boxing as a traditional game in Guyana and recalled the period when Guyana won bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980. With this in mind he expressed hope that today’s donation help Guyanese boxers in their future practice.

“More and more cooperation’s and exchange programmes have been implemented in different sectors and of course sport is no exception,” the Ambassador said.

The Sport Director said the donation will definitely aid the numerous boxing clubs in Guyana who often complain of being starved of such equipment.

Moreover, he said the support will enable Guyana to prepare for the Caribbean Games next year which has boxing as one of the main events.

Table tennis and martial arts coaches from China only recently were dispatched to help develop the two sport disciplines.

The Sport Minister said the support provided by the overseas coaches has significantly improved Guyana’s sport developmental programmes and this has been evident in the improved performers of local athletes.

He said his Ministry intends to decentralise its programme by having the coaches dispatched to the various regions to work upcoming athletes and enthusiasts.