Hours after gaining a split decision over challenger Steve Ninvalle to retain his post as president of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association, Affezze Khan was contemplating giving the post up.
The 65-year-old Khan won the presidency in a straight fight with the 42-year-old Ninvalle on Thursday evening but yesterday Khan, who appeared to be a nervous wreck, told Stabroek Sport that he feared for his life and the well-being of his family after receiving telephone threats.
Affeeze Khan
Khan said the abuse started after the votes were counted and the decision announced by returning officer K. Juman Yassin.
An obviously shaky Khan said he was also on the receiving end of verbal abuse from a member of the Ricola Boxing Gym.
“It’s not about winning but about the insults which followed,” Khan told Stabroek Sport.At the elections on Thursday evening at Olympic House in Queenstown, where 21 of the 23 gyms were represented, Khan bobbed and weaved his way to an 11 votes to 10 win over Ninvalle to retain the position he was first elected to in March 2006.
Two of Khan’s three vice-presidents Rudolph Torrington and Keith Lewis were returned to office. They are joined by Eustace Cuffy.
Keith French, who was defeated in his bid for a vice presidency post, is the new assistant secretary/treasurer while Otis Van-Lewin edged out Sean Richmond by 11 votes to nine for the post of secretary.
Ravendra Ketwaru was returned as treasurer after he defeated Dexter Patterson 11-9.
“For all I have given to boxing over the last two and one half years it is frustrating and depressing to be in such a situation,” said Khan.
Khan said his family comes first and he will soon be making a decision whether to risk the lives of family members and himself for the sake of the development of amateur boxing in Guyana.
Mr. Khan is a winner and a fighter for his rights and those of others. The people who are against his winning the re-election to the post he retains shows that they are not prepared to be responsible to preside or have any participation in any sporting activity. Sport is about testing one’s abilities to its fullest against another’s, it is about winning or losing. These people who are threatening Mr. Khan’s life shows clearly that they do not know how to lose, thus making them unfit to participate in a respectable sporting atmosphere.
Some people are so desperate for “POWER” and when they get the job
they just can’t do it. Mr khan I don’t know you, but my advice to
you is to give up the GABA and let the power drunkers take over Sir.
What a shame. these commies prappa bad. U lose u lose go away Mr. Ninvalle
CONGRATULATIONS MR. KHAN. I URGE YOU NOT TO BE INTIMIDATED WHILE I SHARE YOUR CONCERNS FOR YOUR FAMILY. THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN AND IT WOULD BE PRUDENT FOR THE DEFEATED CHALLENGER TO GIVE HIS UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT TO YOU AND THE DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED EXECUTIVE, PARTICULARLY SINCE HE IS IN A PAID POSITION TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORT IN THE COUNTRY.
this is a frightening development. what kind of country is this and what does the minister of sports have to say about this.positions mean everything in this country.
Mr. Ninvalle should vehemently denounce this kind of behavior.
what going on in guyana it’s frightening is this a paided post
Affezze, my former Life Underwriting Colleague, “Be brave!” Success does not come without its challenges, not at the polls but as you have now learnt, after the polls.
I am no stranger to life threats and I am not afraid because only GOD can determine when one’s time to die has come.
This year 2009, will be 46 years of my life dedicated to the Martial Arts and over 30 years to Sports Medicine (Oriental Massotherapy)while “giving back” for 99.9% of the time. During this period, I have experience attacks – pugnacious; seductive; mutinous; character assassination and those whom have dubbed themselves as “enemies” had and continue to use the two major political parties during their Administration of Governance of Guyana, for their mood swings (menopause?) against me.
I have never received a National Award and I do not anticipate any because I am a Nationalist and a Pragmatist. Nevertheless, all of my Accolades are from overseas because as we are aware, a Prophet is not accepted in his own country. Despite the many offers to be resident and serve other countries that I have receive and continue to receive, “meh nable tring bury hay!” as we would say in creolese.
I am truly concerned about the safety of your beloved family.
What has the Sporting World in Guyana come to? I pray sincerely that Sportsmen/women and Administrators do not have to attend events, meetings, etc, packing concealed firearms.
The Battle is the Lord’s for those who believe.
My humble comment is how can we take Khan seriously. He should be at the doorstep of the police rather that at Stabroek News.