GBA rewards boxers, coaches for recent stellar performances

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has handsomely rewarded five boxers and six coaches in recognition of their performances in the ring over the past few months.
At a simple ceremony hosted at the Mirage Banquet Hall at Albert Street in Georgetown on Wednesday, Coaches Francisco Roldan, Sebert Blake, Terrence Poole M.S., Gregory Cort, Clifton Moore and Lennox Daniels were hailed for their work with boxers on the youth, junior and senior levels. And best youth, junior and female boxers: Shakquain James, Tiquan Sampson and Akeilah Vancouten respectively, were celebrated for their performance at this year’s Caribbean School Boys and Juniors Championships.

Desmond Amsterdam and Keevin Allicock also received monetary rewards for returning respective gold and bronze medal performances at the AMBC Continental Championships.
In brief remarks, GBA President Steve Ninvalle expressed satisfaction with the athletes’ performances this year. He said: “Our association thought it fit to recognize the contributions being made during the last Caribbean School Boys and Juniors tournament. It would’ve been the fifth time that we would have retained — not the fifth time that we won, but the fifth time that we retained — the Caribbean Schools Boys and Juniors title.”

The GBA President added about his pugilists’ performances, “It’s a gradual progression we’re seeing. I’m extremely happy with what we’ve been doing at the level of the school boys and juniors. As a matter of fact, it would’ve been just two weeks after we concluded the tournament that we would’ve had another local under-16 competition. So, I’m heartened by what I’m seeing, and I’m heartened to know that we have a special crop of young boxers coming on board.”
GBA Technical Director Terrence Poole, MS, opined that the Association’s move could potentially attract persons to the sport, and motivate those already involved.
“This here I think is one of the motivation which is able to attract more youths, even females now, into boxing; because we have Akeilah Vancouten who would’ve gotten the best boxer for the females at the Schoolboys/Junior Championships, and I think that should be an encouragement for younger ladies to get involved,” Poole opined.

Addressing the topic of motivation, the renowned coach said, “So, from today, when other boxers would’ve seen the recognition of these boxers who did well, they’re getting a little contribution toward them. That would encourage them to want to come to the gym more often, want to get involved, and want to stay in boxing. This ceremony, maybe a simple ceremony it is, but is very significant to the development of boxing in Guyana and internationally.”
On the heels of their recent successes, the likes of Amsterdam and Allicock, steered by Coaches Roldan and Poole, will be looking to make their mark at the Pan Am Games next, scheduled for October. (Jemima Holmes)