GABA writes PM Nagamootoo requesting quartet return

May 10, 2020 Sports

The Guyana Amateur Boxing Association has shifted gear in its attempt to have four stranded boxers return home from Cuba. The GABA last week wrote to the Chairman of the Covid19 Task Force asking that the body favourably consider a request to have Policeman sergeant Dennis Thomas, Guyana Defence Force corporals Desmond Amsterdam and Colin Lewis and Keevin Allicock of the Forgotten Youth Foundation returned to Guyana before June 3rd, the probably date for the reopening of Guyana’s borders.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamooto

Steve Ninvalle

In a letter to CTF Chairman, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, GABA president Steve Ninvalle explained that the four boxers are now, frustrated, depressed and facing psychological challenges after being stranded in Cuba for close to two months. Ninvalle reasoned that with no definitive date set for their return the situation in Cuba can only take a turn for the worst.
“The four boxers, all of whom have represented Guyana with distinction by winning several international medals, are bread winners for their respective families and their indefinite absence has raised anxiety among their households and created financial bottlenecks. In addition, the boxers are now depressed, frustrated and are facing psychological challenges.
To have them remain in Cuba for another month, where it’s an arduous task just to acquire basic necessities, applies more burden to their already fragile shoulders and those of their families. One of the most strident mantra associated with curbing the spread of Covid19 is `Stay At Home’.
With this in mind our association now ask that you favourably consider approving the return home of the aforementioned Guyanese athletes ahead of the anticipated June 3 reopening of borders,” Ninvalle wrote. The letter was copied to Minister with responsibility for Sport George Norton and Director of Sport Christopher Jones. The call of the GABA request mirrors that of several Guyanese students in Cuba who have pleaded with the government to return them home. Life in Cuba has become increasingly difficult for Guyanese there as the country grapples with the spread of Covid19 and international sanctions.
The light heavyweight Thomas, middleweight Amsterdam, light welterweight Lewis and Bantamweight Allicock were shuttled to Cuba in January for a three-month training stint in preparation for the Olympic Qualifier which was scheduled for March 26 to April 3 in Argentina. The boxers we expected to return home on March 19 but Guyana closed its borders just before in response to curbing the spread of Covid19.
With the exception of Thomas, the other boxers were Caribbean Champions with Allicock, the baby of the team being the current Caribbean bantamweight champion.

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