GBA Head wants more participation from other Nations

Aug 24, 2022 Sports

Officials and Boxers at yesterday’s Press briefing at the La’ France Restaurant & Bar. (Sean Devers photo)

Winfield Braithwaite C’bean Schoolboys C/Ships Aug 26-28

By Sean Devers

Kaieteur News- The three-night Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing Championships will commence at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Friday and President of the GBA Steve Ninvalle wants more participation from the other Islands.

Trinidad & Tobago, Bahamas and St Lucia along host Guyana are the Countries participating in the fifth such event which began in Guyana in 2016.

This is the only tournament for U-16 Boxers in the Caribbean and the bouts are scheduled to commence at 6PM each evening.

“I want to see more participation from more of the other Islands since this tournament is the Nursery of Boxing in the Caribbean. If we don’t produce more U-16 Boxers then it will be harder to find Boxers who could win medals at International Events,” lamented Ninvalle, who also Guyana’s Director of Sports.

Ninvalle urged more Presidents to try and cultivate a good crop of under-16 pugilists for the future of Caribbean Boxing to remain strong.

“Too many times, Administrators take up positions and don’t do any work. Some Administrators needs to do much more for the sport to progress throughout the Region.

Guyana have a strong Boxing structure because of the hard work we (GBA) do while only a few other Presidents work hard enough to find U-16 Boxers to come here and for that we must (GBA) must give ourselves a pat on the back.

As I said before this is not only about winning or losing…it’s about developing the talent we have and staging tournaments like this to show us where we are in sport as a Caribbean,” opined Ninvalle.

Ninvalle, who stated that some Countries cannot find two U-16 Boxers, thanked the Ministry of Health for getting the juveniles into the Country.

The three teams were expected in Guyana by today and weigh-in is set for tomorrow at the Sports Hall.

The youths watch boxing yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)

Ninvalle said that very soon the GBA will be sending their five-year plan to the GOA and the Government.

“With the rules constantly changing we had a session by a top IABA Referee/ Judge and within a year we should have some 3-star Referee/ Judges,” said Ninvalle.

Also speaking at ‘presser’ at La ‘France Restaurant and Sports Bar in Charlotte Street between Alexander and Camp Streets, were Technical Director and Head Coach Terrence Poole, Assistant Coach Lennox Daniels, Cuban Coach Francisco Hernandez Roldan, Coach Samuel Gittens from the USA and Manger of the 18-member Guyana team, Seon Bristol.

Coach Daniels said that despite over two years of inactivity due to the Pandemic, the Boxers were 95 percent fit and ready to go, while he reminded that Guyana was the only Country in Region that has a Schoolboys and School Girls programme which is benefitting the Caribbean.

Gittens, speaking directly to young Boxers, who were all present, told that they were are too young to say they are tired or stressed and urged them to talk less and do more.

Bristol said it was an honour to have been appointed Manager of the team which comprises fighters from ages 13 to 16.

“It’s like having 18 pit bulls in a pen and understanding how to deal with them,” said Bristol who thanked the Media for their support while stressing the importance of Marketing.

“I am looking forward to a full Sports Hall and I must say thanks to the GBA and its President and all of the Coaches involved in the training camp of 30 before the final 18 were selected,” added Bristol who thanked La ‘France Restaurant and Sports Bar for providing high-quality meals for the teenagers and Exclusive Barber Shop for the hair-cuts of the Boxers.

The Cuban Coach said that in 2015 when he first came here he had said that Guyana has the talent just as Cuba, but for it to be developed many things has to be done.

“This (tournament) is another step in the right direction and I thank the GBA and Guyana for making my stay here comfortable,” said Coach Roldan, in much better English than when he first came to these shores but still with distinct Spanish accent.

It was disclosed that only Trinidad is sending a female and while Guyana has female fighters, none are in the Trinidadian’s weight category. In the interest of giving her some ‘Ring Time’ an exhibition bout will be arranged.