When the four-night Caribbean Development Goodwill Tournament boxes off on November 26, it “will attract largest influx of countries in Guyana for any sport in decades.”
This is according to president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle.
Ninvalle told Stabroek Sport recently that “We have already registered 14 countries including Guyana.”
Simon Pures will represent the flags of Antigua, Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Jamaica St. Maarten, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago during the tournament which is scheduled to be staged at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Ninvalle, who has been championing the cause of the tournament, said: “It is expected that close to 100 boxers will be in Guyana for the tournament because both Barbados and Trinidad have registered boxers in the 20s.
“The four days of boxing will do the sport very good, it’s a long time that boxing in the Caribbean have not had that sort of competition and to have it here in Guyana is a plus.
“It’s a plus for us, the sport and tourism because many of the countries that will be coming here will be walking with their media personnel and we are working assiduously to make sure that we put everything in place,” he said.
The GBA head added that there will be a number of referee/judges that will be coming from Jamaica, Barbados and Grenada “just to name a few.”
It was also disclosed by Ninvalle that five days prior to the international tournament, James Beckles (Trinidadian AIBA Certified referee/judge) will host a work shop here with the referee/judges that will be officiating in the event.
Meanwhile, Guyana has registered a team of 38 boxers, many of which would have taken part in the recently concluded Terrence Ali Open tournament.
Dennis ‘The Menace’ Thomas, Guyana’s middleweight King, will be leading the charge of the 38-strong contingent.
Ninvalle noted that the boxers are scheduled to be encamped shortly. (Emmerson Campbell)
