Elite amateur boxers attached to the Guyana Boxing Association will soon get some much needed assistance following a meeting between the GBA and the Guyana Olympic Association. GBA president Steve Ninvalle confirmed yesterday that stipends are in line for several elite boxers, a recommendation that is included in the association’s four-year Road to Brazil plan.
The issue to give stipends to boxers has been overlooked for some time but was brought to the front burner following a recent meeting between GBA and the K Juman Yassin led Olympic Association.
Steve Ninvalle
“We were cogent when we sat with the GOA and I think that they understand the need to implement such a programme. Boxers need to be given the chance to concentrate more on the sport. This is a small but significant step in the right direction as it relates to our possible participation in the 2016 Brazil Olympics,” Ninvalle declared.
GBA held a meeting with several elite fighters last Thursday where the president updated on the new development. “To say that they were enthusiastic would be an understatement. We explained what was expected from them and what they can expect from the collaboration between the two associations. We expect to start with six fighters, one of whom will be a female,” Ninvalle added.
According to Ninvalle, GOA president Juman Yassin is pushing to have the first disbursement in May and noted that GBA and the Olympic Association will be working out a system pertaining to how and when the fighters will be paid.
It was also noted that the successful boxers will have to meet certain criteria to be eligible for the programme and those being accepted will have to sign an agreement with the GOA and GBA to ensure they fulfill their part of the bargain. The exact criteria is being finalised by those responsible and will be communicated to the boxers shortly.