GOA boss uninterested in GABA Presidency

Nov 27, 2009 Sports

Supports international exposure for local boxers

By Michael Benjamin
President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) K.A Juman Yassin has laid all speculation to rest pertaining to his interest in assuming the presidential seat of the beleaguered Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA).
However, Yassin is adamant that amateur pugilists are in dire need of international exposure and has committed himself to the task of creating such opportunities for them.
Mr. Yassin was responding to an article that appeared in another section of the media where boxing promoter, Keith Bazilio had appealed to him to ignore his past unpleasant experiences while he was at the helm of GABA and reconsider serving for a second term.
I am indeed flattered by Bazilio’s remarks but feel constrained to decline because of other pressing commitments,” the GOA boss revealed. He said that even before Bazilio’s impassioned pleas, he was approached by an influential member of the boxing fraternity with a similar request. He said that he was forced to decline.
Commenting on the issue of former President, Affeeze Khan’s decision to relinquish his post Mr. Yassin revealed that several boxers were dissatisfied with the way Khan was conducting the affairs of the GABA and had lodged a complaint at his office. He said that the governing boxing body AIBA somehow got wind of irregularities in the sport and wrote to him for a report on the issue.
Yassin said that following his receipt of the correspondence he launched an investigation and subsequently convened a meeting with Mr. Khan and several other important stakeholders to ventilate the issue. It was after this meeting that Khan tendered his resignation paving the way for Eustace Cuffy, the legitimately elected first Vice President to assume the leadership position on an interim basis.
Meanwhile, Mr. Yassin confirmed that he had issued a directive to the boxing coaches to identify six boxers for a possible six months training stint in Cuba. He said that the coaches had complied and has submitted a list of several boxers along with alternative choices.
However, Mr. Yassin said that he was not totally satisfied with the criteria used in the selection process. “My intention is to have the best representation in Cuba,” he disclosed. He also said that the programme was meant to serve as a foundation for the preparations of boxers identified for the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. “This is not just a flash in the pan arrangement. We intend to prepare our boxers properly over a lengthy period so that they can benefit thoroughly,” Yassin intimated.
He further hinted that the coaches tasked with the mandate to select the boxers for the Cuban stint may be required to re-evaluate their choices while guided by specific criteria.
The Olympic Association boss also revealed that while he is confident that a stint in Cuba can serve to enhance local boxers’ preparations, he is also cognizant of the fact that there are other territories where these boxers may garner adequate tutoring to hone their skills in preparation of international duties at the Olympics as well as other high profile games. He is currently toying with the idea of such exposure.
Meanwhile popular boxing promoter, Keith Bazilio confirmed that he had indeed suggested that Yassin should be returned as the head of GABA. He said that the sport is in dire need of sound leadership and someone as influential as Yassin would have been ideal for the position. Now that Yassin has declined, Bazilio feels that the next best choice for the position would be Parliamentary Secretary, Steve Ninvalle. He said that he is confident that Ninvalle’s love for the sport can be the catalyst for his success at that level. However, he warned that the decision can backfire since Ninvalle’s first obligation is to the political directorate. “We will just have to flow with the tide and hope for the best,” Bazilio pronounced adding that with such meager resources there is not much that the boxers can do. An extraordinary meeting has been scheduled for December 8 and the various gyms will decide once and for all their choice of president to lead the GABA into the next Olympic Games.

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GOA boss uninterested in GABA Presidency

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