Allicock touch gloves with GOA, GBA on treatment in Paraguay

Oct 21, 2022 Sports

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– Boxer says he’s diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis

 By Rawle Toney

Keevin Allicock, known as one of the country’s most promising boxers, took his fight outside the ring, where he traded punches with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and particularly the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA).

The Olympian went into a tirade on his social media platform – Facebook – calling for himself and other athletes to be afforded basic, yet fundamental privileges.

Competing at his second South American Games where, just like in 2018, he finished with a bronze, Allicock suffered chest pains and had to seek medical attention at a hospital in Asunción, Paraguay.

Guyana did not attend the prestigious continental games with medical personnel and as such, Allicock before being hurried off to the hospital by summoned Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), had received assistance from doctors attached to the Argentina delegation.

It was later reported by Guyana’s Chef de Mission to the South American Games, Attorney-at-Law Keavon Bess, that Allicock was dehydrated to the extent that even his bones were lacking fluids, which caused pain in the chest and difficulty in breathing.

However, contrary to Bess’ report, Allicock said he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis (often called rhabdo).

According to research, ‘rhabdo’ is a serious medical condition that can be fatal or result in permanent disability.

Rhabdo occurs when damaged muscle tissue releases its proteins and electrolytes into the blood. These substances can damage the heart and kidneys and cause permanent disability or even death.

“I am taking this opportunity to reiterate that just as much as we (athletes) undertake stringent preparations to give our all to medal at these games, similarly, measures have to be put in place to ensure our safety and well-being,” Allicock said in a statement.

Allicock said while he had suffered from injuries in the past, this time was different, mentioning that his body reacted in a way that made him helpless. “I wish this on none of my colleague athletes and it is why I am making this statement to let all the relevant persons know better must be done.”

While taking shots at the GOA, the 23-year-old pugilist took a swing at the GBA, which is headed by Steve Ninvalle, the country’s Director of Sport.

“I have been thrown into the lion’s den many times before by my own boxing association- something I am unafraid to mention. I have grown accustomed to it, but this should not be so. Rather, I should have a healthy relationship with the executive body of the association whose responsibility I fall under as an amateur athlete,” Allicock stated.

Since his return from Paraguay this week, Allicock said he is yet to hear from the GBA and GOA presidents about his well-being. “I came home with a Bronze medal. If not a word of congratulations, at least ask about my health.”

GBA RESPONDS

Meanwhile, the GBA in a release said they were regrettably forced to respond to Allicock’s comments, while adding that it is lamentable that Allicock opted to utilise the public space rather than the internal mechanisms, and channels that are certainly afforded to him to ventilate any issue linked with the association.

In light of these comments, the GBA went on to explain that Cuban coach Franciso Roldan, who was a vital cog in the preparation of the boxers before their departure, had documented that Allicock only attended 16 of the maximum 43 training sessions, which equates to an attendance rate of 37% “Which certainly isn’t ideal ahead of such an important national assignment, and possibly warrants non-selection.”

The GBA said Desmond Amsterdam attended 35 of the 43 sessions at a rate of 81.3%, while Colin Lewis recorded an attendance rate of 58.1% after attending 25 of the 43 sessions.

“Mr Allicock has had a history of such indiscipline which in February of this year forced the GBA executive to remove him from Guyana’s team preparing for the American Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Elite Continental Championships,” the GBA statement said.

Apart from highlighting a series of missteps by Allicock, some of which warranted him being pulled from national duty, the GBA pointed out that, “In the last decade Mr Allicock has been provided more resources than any other local boxer and was availed access to every major international tournament in the world. This underlines the fact that the GBA has/is leaving no stone unturned relating to his development in the sport.”

The GBA said while it concedes that the lack of a medical practitioner and physiotherapist at the championship was unfortunate, this aberration was a reality lived and incurred by each local association that was represented and not simply a blemish or culpability of the boxing fraternity.

“Emotions are a useful servant but a terrible master. The GBA is certainly opposed to going back and forth on this issue which has many movable parts, and that gives way and caters to mass ignorance,” GBA said.

The local boxing association said they’re in the process of launching a formal internal investigation into the intricacies and details surrounding the entire episode to find a solution, which is not insulated from facts.

“We also remain committed to the development of the sport, and working with all stakeholders to forge a sustainable pathway for the advancement of the discipline,” the statement said.

 

 

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