The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) significantly assisted the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) with half of the US$30,000 needed to cover the cost for the three-month training stint in Cuba for the local contingent ahead of the Olympic Qualifiers.
Christmas came early yesterday for the boxing association as Vice President of the GOA, Dr. Karen Pilgrim unwrapped a gift for the GBA to the tune of US$15,000.
The presentation came on the heels of the National Sports Commission’s pledge of $2.5M.
The monies will be used to cover the costs of expenses for boxers, Keevin Allicock, Colin Lewis, Desmond Amsterdam and Dennis Thomas and coaches, Terrence Poole (MS) and Sebert Blake.
The outfit is scheduled to depart for Cuba on December 29.
While in Cuba, the Olympic hopefuls will be exposed to a high level of discipline, training, sparring partners, medical checks and coaching.
President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle pointed out that in the past, training stints ahead of major tournaments lasted just a couple of weeks and proved insufficient since Guyana has not clinched an Olympic berth since 1996.
Ninvalle, who was thankful for the GOA’s support, noted that preparation for the Qualifiers is paramount and that the three-month exposure should be adequate for the four boxers ahead of the Olympic Qualifiers.
According to Ninvalle, the Olympic Qualifiers will be staged from March 26- April 3 in Argentina.
Meanwhile, Dr. Pilgrim and President of the GOA, Kalam Juman-Yassin stated that the sport of boxing is dear to their hearts and as such saw it fitting to assist the sport which was won Guyana its lone Olympic medal.
Said Dr. Pilgrim, “GOA has always been happy to support sports in general. But boxing is close to our hearts. We are happy and proud to be part of this moment, proud to support the sport that has won us our only Olympic medal and perhaps the next.”
Poole, who also thanked the GOA, then underscored that timely preparation will get the boxers and ultimately Guyana a better chance of medaling at the Qualifiers and subsequently the Olympics in Tokyo, 2020. (Emmerson Campbell)
