GBA gets high praise from Caribbean counterparts

May 08, 2016 Sports

The Guyana Amateur Boxing Association has come in for high praise for the hosting of the Caribbean’s

David ‘Shakes’ Christopher

first Schoolboys and Juniors tournament just over a week ago. The association’s organization skill is being hailed by Jamaica and St Lucia, both of which sent teams to the tournament.
“I need to thank Mr. (Steve) Ninvalle and the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association for affording us the opportunity to expose our young boxers. I think that it is the perfect platform for the resurrection of the sport of boxing which has been taking some hits recently,” President of the St Lucia Boxing Association David `Shakes’ Christopher declared.
“It was a very good venture for the Caribbean and the reports from Guyana tell of a well -organized tournament that was keenly contested. We have noted that in recent time Guyana has taken the initiative to lead boxing in the Caribbean. There was a Goodwill competition in 2014 and that was followed by a 13-nation Caribbean Development Tournament last year, all of this points to the fact that there is a serious approach to where boxing needs to be taken.”
The St Lucian president pointed to the financial burden hosting of such tournaments entails but noted that that the rewards for persevering will be reaped in the future.
Christopher’s sentiments were echoed by President of the Jamaica association Stephen ‘Bomber’ Jones who assured that his country will continue to support the efforts of the Ninvalle-led GBA since it is prone to action, and paving the way for regional development of the sport.
The two-day tournament was held on April 29 and 30 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Guyana won two

Stephen Jones

gold medals, one silver and three bronze in the inaugural International tournament. St Lucia came in second with one gold and two silvers. Jamaica had one silver and two bronze.
Guyana’s Christopher Moore and Akiel Mounter snatched gold in the lightweight and welterweight divisions respectively, while welterweight Michael Edwards took silver. Light welterweight Quincy Boyce and Joshua Corbin grabbed bronze while Deshon Elcock (lightweight) also took home bronze.
St Lucian Nathan Ferrari was voted Best Boxer.
Meanwhile, the GBA is set to resume its weekly two-day camps for Schoolboys, Juniors and Youth boxers this weekend. The association is preparing to send a team to French Guiana in June to participate in the Creole Championships.