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Beacon light of hope as GBA executives strengthen boxing relations with French Guiana
By Michael Benjamin
Anyone, even the uninitiated, paying attention to the trend of development within the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) would admit that the preceding year has been one of the best in the recent history of the sport. Indeed, local boxers have engaged their counterparts around the Caribbean and other parts of the world in tournaments organized by sister Caricom States in collaboration with the executive of the GBA.
Bess covers up as Mosquea commences a body attack during sparring sessions yesterday.
Admittedly, the boxers have endured fluctuating fortunes while boxing in other territories but executives could still boast that there has been a positive shift in the developmental arc where local pugilists have triumphed over their Caricom counterparts out of Trinidad, Barbados, Martinique and St Lucia.
Consequently, President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle, has endeavoured to improve the fortunes of his charges and over the past year has had dialogue with his counterparts from the above mentioned countries and quite recently has included Suriname in the mix with the aim of strengthening relations, while creating opportunities for international exposure for his charges.
The latest of these interactions occurred during the preceding week when a team of two boxers, Leonardo Mosquea and Kesney Joseph, accompanied by the Technical Director of the French Boxing Association, Jack Chinon, and a reporter from the National Television Network (French Guiana), Stephane Floricien, arrived in Guyana and held discussions with Mr. Ninvalle on a wide cross section of boxing issues.
The GBA President said that the team out of French Guiana arrived in the country last Thursday, under the auspices of the National Sports Commission and he was only informed of its presence one day later. He said that he immediately engaged the principals in discussions which proved to be very fruitful.
The Inter Guiana Games will kick off later this year and following discussions with Mr. Chinon, Mr. Ninvalle intimated that he has dispatched an email to President of the French Association Boxing Association, Rolland Robeiri, to discuss Guyana’s participation in those championships as well as devise ways of strengthening relations between the two entities. He said that he has been invited to participate in the French National Championships scheduled for March and would endeavour to put the modalities in place to ensure Guyana’s presence.
Khan steps back to evade a stiff left jab from Joseph.
Meanwhile, both French boxers visited the Andrew ‘Sixheads’ Lewis Boxing Gym yesterday morning and engaged in sparring sessions; Mosquea engaged local (professional) heavyweight champion, Kurt Bess, while Joseph sparred 4 thrilling rounds with local (amateur) boxing champion, Imran Khan. If what was witnessed at those sessions mean anything then Guyanese boxers need to train exceptionally hard to overcome the Frenchmen.
Mosquea turned in a vicious display of power punching that had Bess on the back foot and covering up from the onslaught. The taller of the two, Bess attempted to box at long range but the Frenchman expertly quartered the ring and blasted him with several wallops that forced him into the ropes where he sought refuge behind highly held guards. It was truly a top class display that should serve to hasten the efforts of GBA executives in formalizing the exchange programme.
Khan also sparred for 4 rounds but handled his session far more efficiently than Bess. In what was a solid exhibition of skill and power, Khan unleashed a two fisted attack on his French opponent. Not to be outdone, Joseph lashed out and had his man covering up. It was a true display of courage and skill and it was a pity that a larger audience was not on hand to witness the exhibition.
The French contingent leaves Guyana later today and Mr. Ninvalle said that he will aggressively pursue relations with the French Boxing Association to commence bilateral relations.
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