The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) plans to pull out all the stops to ensure bantamweight standout, Keevin Allicock, maximizes his chances of medalling at the Pan Am Games.
This is according to president of the association, Steve Ninvalle.
“We plan to explore all the possibilities as it relates to him preparing for the Pan Am Games which includes overseas training,” said Ninvalle yesterday.
The games will be held in Lima, Peru from July 26 to August 11.
Ninvalle added:“Of course that is not done in isolation, we are on the verge of having talks with the Guyana Olympic Association and the National Sports Commission pertaining to that because we cannot do that alone.
“Based upon the responses that we would have from these two institutions, we will know how capable we are of actually doing that.”
Allicock had suggested that Cuba has moulded some of the best amateur boxers in the world and could be a suitable training base ahead of the games.
“There is a lot of extra work to be put in,” said the 19-year-old.
“The feeling is good that I qualified for the games but I want to come back with a medal so I want to be prepared as best as possible.”
Allicock added “ I can’t get to spar with the level of competition that I want, I feel that if we can get to train and spar in places like Cuba ahead of the big events, that will be great preparation.”
However, Ninvalle stated that “Our planning does not rest on Cuba alone, Cuba may be the mecca of boxing in the Caribbean but Cuba no longer stands as the undisputed champion of the world. There are other places other than Cuba that are being considered, but we plan to explore all possibilities making sure that he is best prepared.”
Contacted by Stabroek Sport yesterday, Director of Sport, Chris Jones said, “We will want to lend support, wherever we can. That won’t be no issue.”
Efforts to contact President of the GOA, K Juman-Yassin yesterday proved futile. At the games, Guyana will be represented in the disciplines of badminton, boxing, rugby, squash and taekwondo. (Emmerson Campbell)
