GBBC President, Peter Abdool, heads Fecarbox Boxing Organization Recommits to development of local boxers

Jan 14, 2015 Sports

---

By Michael Benjamin
Almost five years ago, in February 2010, President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Peter Abdool, endeavored to change the fortunes

of local boxers when he inaugurated the Guyana Fight Night (GFN) boxing card. The rationale behind the venture sought to create opportunities for local pugilists while preparing them for the international stage.
Mr. Abdool enhanced his chances to fulfill his mission when he clinched the Presidency of the Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) a few years ago and solidified his position at the World Boxing Council convention in Mexico recently when he was also appointed President of Fecarbox with added responsibilities of overseeing boxing activities in Mexico, Latin and Central America, Venezuela and Columbia among others.
Now back home, Mr. Abdool is bent on resuming efforts to improve the fortunes of local pugilists. A few years ago, the GBBC President had inaugurated the Guyana Fight Night (GFN) initiative and even a surreptitious glance would have convinced the uninitiated that the venture was instrumental in opening several doors of opportunities for local boxers.
Many of them clinched CABOFE titles while others, the likes of Clive Atwell and Elton Dharry extended their fortunes to higher levels, battling for World and Continental of Americas titles respectively.
The paucity of boxers coupled with the meager gate support threatened the continuity of the cards and the skeptics were adamant that the initiative would die an expeditious death. This was not to be and the organizers pressed on, that is, until October 2013, when the last GFN was staged.
Afterwards, there were several cards organized by the GBBC but it seemed as though those officials had abandoned the GFN initiative. Yesterday morning, Kaieteur Sport engaged Mr. Abdool in a discussion while attempting to ascertain his projections for the sport, the challenges encountered and strategies for its continued development.
”Over the past year we have quietly aborted no less than 4 cards due to varying reasons,” he intimated. The GBBC boss revealed that among such reasons were constant blackouts, unavailability of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) and poor air vents.
He also said that pivotal among the patrons’ concerns was the limited options to exit the venue in cases of emergencies. “Promoters are reluctant to invest their hard earned dollars in such uncertain and unchartered territory,” Abdool explained.
He further said that the overhead costs for organizing cards are debilitating and restrict promoters from recouping their investments much less making a profit. The GBBC President said that these reasons have been responsible for the abortion of the GFN over the past months but his executives have not totally abandoned the initiative.
Nevertheless, he is adamant that the many stakeholders had benefited from the programme while it was active. He also said that his executives are currently reinstituting the modalities towards the successful reinstatement of activities. Indeed, the cost of staging the card is extremely prohibitive and Mr. Abdool explained that the expenditure amounts to approximately two million dollars. Nevertheless, he remains staunch that the investment is well worth the while.
The GFN accommodates 8 amateur boxers and over the years furniture giants, Courts, have donated large food hampers to the participating amateur pugilists. Additionally, the GBA benefits from the programme; “Our contribution to the Guyana Boxing Association is $100,000 per card while the boxers are kept active,” said Mr. Abdool.
He further explained that the corporate institutions that sustained the card experienced fluctuating fortunes and many of them were forced to either cut back or discontinue supporting all together.
”Fortunately, we benefitted from the chivalry of the National Communications Network and were granted the use of the CASH free of cost,” said Mr. Abdool. He was also in high praise of his fellow executives who utilized personal funds and energies to sustain the cards.
Now as 2015 breaks, Mr. Abdool said that he envisages similar challenges but his executives have steeled themselves for them. As such, the GBBC will start this year on a bang and according to Abdool, plans are in place to host Jamaican Contender champion, Sakima Mullings, around February month end.
Word has been around that Mullings has agreed to fight Andrew ‘Sixheads’ Lewis in a 10 rounds non-title fight in Jamaica next month. Abdool said that following successful negotiations with Mullings’ team plans are now in train to stage the fight in Guyana.
This was made possible after negotiations with the Jamaicans who have agreed to waive the fees to their accommodation, travel and meals. “We are indeed grateful for this but our cost is still prohibitive,” said Abdool.
Currently, the promoters are staring at a cost nearing $8M dollars but the GBBC President said that he is heartened by the chivalry extended by the Jamaicans even as he envisages similar support from Corporate Guyana.
”We have planned at least three big ticket fights for the year and are very optimistic that we will receive the requisite support from all stakeholders towards their successes,” exhorted Mr. Abdool. He said that talent abounds even as he revealed that CABOFE middleweight champion, Edmond Declou has recovered nicely and is ready to resume his career; Declou had been out of the ring ever since his fight with current super/middleweight champion, Dereck Richmond in October 2013 where he suffered a broken jaw.
The GBBC President is confident that this year will be a successful one for his charges.

---

---