“It’s a blessing to represent my country”– Allicock

Jun 29, 2021 Sports

– Leaves today for Olympic Preparation

Kaieteur News – Guyana’s Golden boy, Keevin Allicock, is set to depart local shores today for Russia where, under the supervision of long-serving coach Sebert Blake, he will undergo three weeks of intense preparation for the Tokyo Olympics this July-August.

From left Coach Sebert Blake, Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, K.A. Juman-Yassin and Keevin Allicock.

From left, Steve Ninvalle, Sebert Blake, Keevin Allicock, Dr. Karen Pilgrim (handing over the GOA’s cheque) and K.A. Juman-Yassin

During a joint press conference today at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) headquarters at Lilliendaal featuring the GOA and the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Allicock expressed great pleasure at being able to represent Guyana throughout the years and greater satisfaction of seeing his dream of competing at the world’s biggest stage become a reality.
“I want to thank God for being here. It’s been a blessing to rep my country. Thanks to Steve Ninvalle, thanks to the GOA for their support throughout the years. It’s an honour to rep Guyana at Tokyo. I always tell my Coach (Blake) that I will go to Tokyo with all my trust in God and I’m happy that I’ve made it”, the junior Commonwealth Games silver medalist posited.

Keevin Allicock with an iconic boxer pose. (Calvin Chapman photo)

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, who was on hand at the presser in the capacity of President of the GBA, noted that he, “Is extremely elated to have Keevin qualify for the Olympics, I was cautiously optimistic that he would made the grade and this achievement is a philip for the sport in Guyana. It has also rejuvenated the different age categories especially the youth and junior.”
Ninvalle continued that, “Even before he (Keevin) steps into the ring, he will have to battle with covid and we are confident that he will test negative and other out of ring battles will be won. His success is an extension of the hard work of the GBA and support from the GOA who has been unflinching in its support for boxing.”
Head of the GOA, K.A. Juman Yassin, mentioned that he is happy to see the corporate sector coming onboard to support athletes and Keevin’s success will only augur well for other boxers and athletes in general because other sponsors will be more keen to support.
Yassin concluded that, “On behalf of myself and the GOA, best wishes. I want you to visualize yourself winning and raising the Golden Arrowhead… Boxing will continue to have our support because the potential there is immense.”
Meanwhile, Coach Sebert, who has coached Allicock since he was 14-years-old at the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) gym in Albouystown, revealed that from 2017 to now, Allicock has been professing that he will qualify for the Tokyo Games. A daily affirmation and he has been helping him along with that.
“In 2016, I made a promise that if I can get the resources to work with a boxer, I can get him to the Olympics. Today the fruit shows that if we get the necessary resources, we have the talent to get boxers to the Olympics,” Blake said.
Blake continued, “I want to thank all stakeholders for their support, including my mentor and my company GPL for always giving me time when I need to represent my Country.”

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News