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DDL, GABA partner inaugural Andrew Lewis U-16 boxing tournament this weekend
The fortunes of local amateur boxers have recently suffered a setback following the failure of several of the country’s top pugilists at the Brazil Box Off, a prerequisite to the impending London Olympics later this year.
Following an assessment of the situation, the executives of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) decided to place more emphasis on the development of the nursery if only to give local pugilists a realistic opportunity of procuring the coveted gold medal in future tournaments of this nature.
Deputy PS Steve Ninvalle (centre) makes a point during the brief to announce another phase of the DDL/GABA partnership. Also in photo are (from left) Eustace Cuffy, DDL’s Alexis Langhorne, Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis and Terrence Poole.
It was with this objective in mind that the executive of GABA and those of the Demerara Distillers Ltd joined efforts and resources to stage several boxing cards that allow the Simon Pures of the sport to hone their skill. Activities will be conducted under the Pepsi brand when the above organizations stage the first of three such tournaments starting this Saturday June 9 and conclude one day later. Several of these pugilists will compete for honours in the inaugural Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis/DDL U16 boxing tournament on the tarmac situated on the northern end of the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing Gym, Independence Boulevard.
Yesterday morning, media operatives joined the President and other executives of the GABA at a specially convened press conference in the boardroom of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and were updated on the intricacies of the initiative among other boxing related issues. Sales Manager of the DDL, Alexis Langhorne was also in attendance to hand over the sponsorship package to local boxing officials.
She explained that the relationship between her company and the GABA dates back to April 24 when her executives acquiesced to the deal. She said that the programme is geared towards the well being of young amateur boxers and to provide them with an opportunity of participating in organized activity. Ms Langhorne pointed out that for most of the boxers the sport is a lifeline that will not only provide the path to professionalism but will also provide gainful entertainment. “On behalf of the DDL and its Pepsi brand I would like to wish the boxers well even as I encourage the public to come out in its numbers to support the youngsters,” beseeched the DDL manager.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ninvalle said that his executives are currently mulling the idea of initiating tournaments in honour of past stalwarts. He reminded that the GABA has already dedicated a tournament in honour of Michael Parris, Guyana’s lone Olympics medalist and was intent on fulfilling this mandate for other notable pugilists. He briefly reminisced on that historic night in February 2001 when Lewis knocked out American boxer, James Page, to take the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight belt. He said he was honoured to have attended the forum as a reporter and was overwhelmed with the opportunity.
Lewis added his voice to the cause and urged all sports enthusiasts to attend the tournament even as he implored the boxers to fight hard. Other comments were also delivered by GABA Vice President, Eustace Cuffy and Tournament organizer, Terrence Poole. Both administrators were loud in praise for the initiative as well as DDL’s input.
This weekend’s activity commences at 17:00hrs on both nights and will conclude under floodlights.
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