By Michelangelo Jacobus
The late King Pele, one of the world’s most loved athletes once said; “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
That statement rings true for the Forgotten Youth Foundation, a boxing gym aptly named for the section of society it represents and shelters, nurtures and guides.
FYF as it is affectionately known by those in the boxing fraternity was established circa 1997 and was housed at a building on the corner of James and Albert streets in Albouystown. Since its inception, it has been home to the community’s youth, eventually extending its arms to young people of many other communities in and out of Georgetown.
Vancooten (left) who has represented Guyana in National
U-17 football and continues to simultaneously excel at boxing.
In the years since, the gym has seen lows and highs, highs in the ring, lows in terms of a stable base to operate out of. However, despite all odds, the gym has persevered.
Sebert Blake the Head Coach of FYF was an established boxer in his heyday and a member of the FYF in 1999. He would eventually transition to coaching in 2001. A move he has not regretted to this day.
The FYF and Blake have seen hundreds of boxers, from ages as tender as eight to young adults pass through the gym. Those journeys through the FYF have imprinted and impacted positively upon those young lives through boxing and in general life.
At this current juncture, the FYF is without its own base, its own gym, a place to call home. Despite this daunting factor, it continues to churn out talent and provides refuge not only in the sport.
Blake in a candid interaction with Stabroek News Sports explained that despite its current plight and the obstacles in its path, the gym has continued to make an impact in boxing.
“We have always had a big impact despite our low numbers and limited resources. For the last three to four years we have been winning all the ‘Best Boxer’ accolades at the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) championships for both male and female categories”.
Quizzed as to how the operations are carried on, Blake revealed; “The gym is considered private nowadays, when I say private, we’re not at a fixed place or building, nor are we funded by an institution like the Army or Police where everybody from those gyms can gather at one place to train. We are funded either by myself or the boxers who invest into themselves, and luckily enough, we have to be thankful to GBA’s President, Mr. (Steve) Ninvalle who has given us permission to utilize the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis gym”.
Touching on the training regimen of his charges, Blake was heavy on praise for the boxers; “We do morning sessions and afternoon sessions. It cannot be as efficient as you want as a coach since we have fighters who live in various communities from as far as the East Coast (of Demerara) to West Demerara. What I do is give them individual programmes for the mornings that they have to adhere to by themselves. I must commend them, because 50% of the training is down to them at the end of the day. The work that they put in as individuals will ultimately reward them, and as it is, more often than not, it manifests into reality when they capture titles at the various levels”.
Split
“Most of them work at different places, varying from Banks DIH to construction, while some attend school. In the afternoons during the week, we try to gather at Six Head (gym). However, not everyone would come to the gym at the same time because of their various jobs or school. I dedicate my time in the afternoons and split the training into two sessions to cater to my kids”, he said.
Being at the gym Monday through Friday is not enough according to Blake. He explained that the only time he gets to have all his charges in one place is on Sundays where they would gather “as an entire family. Even then it is difficult as a coach to manage my fighters as we often have to share the gym with various national teams as well as members of the Six Head gym”.
Asked about his mention of the FYF being a family, Blake pointed out; “I have to be a coach, therapist, father, brother and friend to these kids. Coming from the backgrounds that they come from, the FYF and boxing is an escape from that reality for some of them”.
Tellingly, he continued; “Boxing helps to keep them away from crime, negativity in their communities and other destructive behaviours. Boxing is a saviour in that sense. Here, with FYF, they channel their energy and time into boxing and it keeps them off the streets. I have seen it help a lot of my kids. In my 22 years of coaching, most of my children have been positively impacted by the sport. It has affected positive change and development in their lives. Of course you must have the exception, but largely, we have seen many success stories, in terms of youths not turning to crime or drugs and staying away from the street life”.
If society needs an example of those success stories, they need only to look at Keevin Allicock, long considered Guyana’s best amateur boxer with multiple Caribbean Championship medals.
According to Blake, the key to keeping FYF’s members grounded and motivated is being a friend and his charges’ confidante.
“I enquire about their daily lives, be it their job, school. If they have any problems, I try to assist as much as I can. That confidence and trust that they hold in me, is key to their performance”, he said.
Touching on the communities and backgrounds that the FYF’s members come from, mostly disadvantaged areas, Blake said that not everyone has the luxury of being afforded the basic needs of life. “I have to step in because sometimes they have to get a meal, the FYF is our safe space, no matter what, once we can help, we will extend our arms to any one of our family members”.
That approach has reaped rewards with five of the FYF members being selected to represent Guyana at various international competitions recently. In addition to Allicock; Shaquan James, Tiquan Sampson, Alesha and Abiola Jackman have all donned national colours. Their dedication to their craft and creditable performances have landed them the support of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) who are currently paying them monthly stipends. A welcome initiative that the boxers have earned in the opinion of Blake.
The FYF custodian is confident that with a new home to call their own, the right support from corporate Guyana and the intervention of the Government, the gym can continue to be a beacon for the forgotten youth of disadvantaged communities.
FYF has managed against all odds to maintain equality and boasts among its ranks a number of talented young women. The multi-talented Akeela Vancooten came in for high praise from Blake. Vancooten has represented Guyana internationally in both football and boxing. In addition to Vancooten, the gym has Angelina Rogers who has shown her skills at the school girls championship.
As recent as last weekend, the FYF’s hidden gems Septon Barton and Travis Inverary shone brightly at the Lennox Blackmoore Intermediate Championship, both winning their respective weight divisions.
Both boxers started from a very young age at the FYF and are earmarked by Blake to do wonderful things. While Barton captured the ‘Best Boxer’ accolade at that tournament, it was a case of the prodigal son returning home.
Speaking with pride on Barton’s return, Blake enlightened; “Septon went off for a few years but now he’s back and he has shown that he still has the ability to stamp his authority in the ring. I see him going far in the ring as long as he sticks to the game. Inverary is just 19 and he is very talented. For me he needs a bit more dedication and effort and for sure he will do well. I can see Inverary at the 2028 Olympics. I can definitely see some of my charges going to the Olympics in 2028 and beyond”.
Thus, the story of the Forgotten Youth Foundation remains open despite the many challenges and daunting negatives thrown their way, the youth of that gym continue to excel in the face of adversity. A story of hard work, discipline and dedication, always paying dividends.
