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Boxing Coach Roldan completes successful stint with GABA
By Zaheer Mohamed
Forty eight-year old Cuban Boxing Coach Francisco Roldan has successfully completed a three-year stint with the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA). During his stay Roldan held a number of Coaching Clinics and had overseen boxers to World Championship, Commonwealth, Goodwill and South American Games.
Coach Roldan Francisco, fourth from left with officials of the GABA
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport at farewell dinner held at New Thriving Restaurant, Roldan said he is satisfied, but not too happy since a lot more can be done to help the boxers improve. He feels that Guyana has a lot of talented boxers, but talent alone cannot win.
“At this moment there is a lot of economic potential. My country Cuba is one country that is poor but our government has invested in sport and it has paid off. So talent is important but if we do not put the resources in the sport it will be very difficult to improve,” he added.
“Guyana can win world titles and medals in Olympic Games, we can bring the world best coaches here but if we do not invest we will not get the desired results. I am confident that if the Government invests in the sport Guyana will get results rapidly because they have the main thing which is the talent, and I am confident the new Government will do that.”
Roldan added that local boxing tournaments are important because it is from these tournaments that the national team is being selected, and it also motivates the boxers. In closing Roldan stressed the need for the boxers to continue working hard to improve adding that he wants to see Guyanese boxers excel.
Local Coach Terrence Poole said Roldan has made a tremendous impact to the sport here. “He has imparted a lot of knowledge to us and has motivated the boxers well. “Our boxers are more confident and have seen training as one of the main areas to achieve their goals, “he said.
Poole feels the local coaches are now more equipped to harness the talent of the younger boxers. “The coaches now have a platform where they can work to achieve better results,” he added.
Poole added that Roldan came with a lot of plans which could have taken the sport to another level but said there was not much support. He hopes the new administration will put the resources in the sport.
Poole said that he wants the bi-lateral agreement between Guyana and Cuba to continue so athletes from both countries can benefit. President of the GABA Steve Ninvalle stated that he is saddened to see Roldan leave but understand he has to.
He added that local coaches Seibert Blake, Terrence Poole, Winston Thomas and Clifton Moore would have tremendously benefitted from Roldan and expressed confidence that the quartet can pick up the mantle. Ninvalle said he hopes to see Roldan return in the near future to assist with preparation of the Guyana team for the next Olympics.
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