Largest sporting invasion in years to hit Guyana for Caribbean Boxing tourney

Nov 08, 2015 Sports

Guyana is about to be hit by the largest sporting invasion of teams in a long time later this month

Colin Lewis

when the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) hosts the Inter-Caribbean Goodwill Development Boxing tournament, dubbed ‘Back to the Future,’ and scheduled for November 26-29 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

GBA President Steven Ninvalle speaking to Kaieteur Sport noted that they have 14 countries registered to date including hosts Guyana. Among the territories down to travel here are Antigua, Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Grenada, St Vincent, St Marten, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
Close to 100 boxers alone are down to be here for the activity with Barbados and Trinidad registering over 20 boxers apiece. Some 30 officials will also join the boxers for what is promising to be a memorable and action packed four days of top class amateur boxing. Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica and Grenada are among those providing referee/ judges to officiate at the tournament.
AIBA referee/Judge James Beckles of T&T will arrive in Guyana on November 21 and will headline the elite Caribbean panel. Beckles will hold a workshop for referees and judges during his stay.
Ninvalle noted that this four days of boxing will do the sport good not only in Guyana but across the Caribbean. He stated that it has been a long time that an event of this nature has been held and the fact that it is being staged here is a major plus not just for boxing but the spill off includes tourism. Many countries involved will be walking with media teams and Guyana will be highlighted in a big way.
GBA has been working assiduously to have all systems in place for a successful staging of the event. Guyana has registered a 38-member team will go into training shortly as they gear to really represent at home. One face missing is that of Colin ‘Superman’ Lewis who injured his hand (fracture) and cannot compete. Lewis is the nephew of former World Champ Andrew Lewis, and was a standout in recent events including best boxer at the just concluded Terrence Alli championship among others.