The boxing team that will represent Guyana at the upcoming 2008 Junior Commonwealth Games in Pune, India had a surprise visit from sports enthusiast and Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport yesterday, president of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) Affeeze Khan said that the four boxers, Akeem Alexander, Herlando Allicock, Stefan Gouveia and Cleveland Rocke were training at the Harpy Eagle Gym in Albouystown when Green, a former minister of sports in the PNC administration paid a visit.
According to Khan, Green was most unhappy when he saw the state of the gym and stated that the unused Andrew “Sixhead” Lewis gym was built for that purpose and should have been utilized in this instance.
Green also said that the boxers risked becoming injured as they are practicing on a wooden floor whereas they are supposed to be using matting.
And Green added that the Lewis gym was fully equipped and a team that was going for national glory should have the best facilities at hand to prepare.
Guyana will be sending eight athletes from two disciplines along with three officials to the games.
The boxing team consists of four male boxers while the table tennis team has three female and one male player.
The Guyana team will depart on October 8 and will reach India on October 9. The boxing team will have their first fight on October 12. The Guyana contingent is expected to return by October 21.
