President of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) Steve Ninvalle has expressed optimism that local boxers will be successful at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India despite the standard being higher than that of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) championships.
This point of view is also shared by Coach Terrence Poole and Guyana’s lone Olympic medallist Michael Parris, who is assisting the three boxers in their preparation. The boxers are currently encamped at the National Gymnasium and will be departing for the games, which will be held from October 3-14, on September 29.
Boxing will be held from October 5-13 at the Talkatora Stadium and Ninvalle stated that it was imperative for the GABA to ensure the boxers receive the best possible preparation before their departure.
According to Ninvalle, Parris, who competed in the bantamweight division at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, is assisting Poole with the technical aspects of the training.
Another important component of the training regiment that was also considered, according to Ninvalle, was proper nutrition and dieting. He indicated that Dr Joseph Haynes has given guidelines for the boxers to follow throughout their encampment and when they are abroad.
This initiative followed Guyana’s participation at the CAC Games in Puerto Rico last month where Dexter Jordan and Ray Sandiford won two bronze medals. Ninvalle had said then and he reiterated yesterday that the association views the Commonwealth Games as a “step up” from the CAC Games, therefore nutrition will be a part of the preparation.
The GABA president told this newspaper that with the exception of Jordan, Devon Boatswain and 2008 junior Commonwealth Games silver medallist Clevlon Rock competed in the Michael Parris National Open Boxing Championships last weekend.
He said it is the vision of the GABA to give the local Simon Pures all the exposure, especially in the view of the competition they face in India.
On the other hand, Ninvalle, who will be acting as the team’s manager on the trip, said the boxers have been reminded of their role to be good ambassadors and to remain focused on their goals.
Director of Sport Neil Kumar also delivered an inspirational talk to the boxers and promised them his support when they paid him a courtesy call earlier this week.
Stabroek Sport also learnt that all systems are in place for the boxers to travel. Ninvalle disclosed that the boxers have received their visas for travel to the Asian continent for the XIX Commonwealth Games.
Meanwhile, when Stabroek Sport contacted Parris yesterday he pointed out that while he was satisfied with what he has seen there is still some minor technical work that has to be done.
“You don’t go into the ring to train,” Parris said, adding that the boxers have to iron out their flaws before entering the ring.
Parris, 52, who won a bronze medal after he was defeated by Cuba’s Juan Hernández in the semifinals in 1980, also pointed out that the boxers were told that there are different ways to execute tactics and he will be sharing this knowledge with them.
The boxers’ preparation will also be structured to suit some of the conditions in India and the higher level of competition at the championships.
Coach Poole believes that the boxers are prepared for their international assignment but there are “areas that have to rectified” in their technique.
He indicated that the boxers are in their final preparation phase of strength conditioning and all of them have showed dedication to their tasks.
