9-member Guyanese contingent for OECS Boxing Championships

A group of six Guyanese boxers, alongside three officials, departed the Land of Many Waters on Wednesday for St Lucia, as they gear up to compete at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Boxing Championships in St Lucia.
The competition is scheduled to run from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28.
The roster, which will be supervised by national coach Lennox Daniels, comprises: Abiola Jackman, heavyweight (Elite); Alesha Jackman, middleweight (Elite); Shakquain James, lightweight (Junior); Angelina Rogers, bantamweight (Junior); Ryan Rogers, bantamweight (Schoolboys); and Junior Madray, 31-33 kg (Schoolboys). Meanwhile, Lawrence Assanah and Germain Craig will accompany the team to serve as referees and judges, respectively.

Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Technical Director Terrence Poole said, “Preparation has been good; they have been training for a period of time. I would say the preparation has been 95 per cent. They were training twice a day at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis gym.”
Probed on the importance of the event given that the Caribbean Schoolboys Championships are slated for August, Poole declared, “This tournament is part of the preparation for the Caribbean Schoolboys Tournament, and it will allow us to see the level of some of our fighters and where they are and where they need to be for that event. It’s very important, because it provides international exposure. My expectation is that everyone should do well at the event.”

Meanwhile, GBA President Steve Ninvalle informed that while the tournament was another step towards exposing local talent, it was also being used to support St Lucia Boxing Association’s President, David “Shakes” Christopher.
“Guyana is not part of the OECS, but I see it as my duty to support Mr. Christopher who has always returned the favour when Guyana hosts international events.
“In addition, our objective for tournaments of this nature is the exposure of emerging talents in a competitive international environment,” Ninvalle said.
He further added, “Moreover, the exposure of females to the rigours of international competition is a major emphasis and priority for the association. We believe that the women’s arm, given the documented challenges that are faced with their initial participation and sustained continuance, requires and is aided by this approach in providing international exposure.”

The OECS Championships are slated to feature participation from several nations, several of whom will feature in the prestigious Caribbean Schoolboys and Junior Championships in Guyana.