Corporate entities significantly boost local boxer

In many other countries, sport is seen as a full time job in which an athlete’s only concern is to train and compete.

As a result, the belief that not having to focus on other commitments gives sportsmen and women alike the opportunity to completely dedicate themselves to perfecting their craft.
In Guyana, however, this is not the reality as yet in the sporting arena, and many athletes are forced to take up a day job to pay the bills.
The first instance of athletes being supported by corporate entities was witnessed on Thursday afternoon, when the Dquan Shipping and Trading and the Delmur Shipping entities presented decorated boxer Jamal Eastman with gear and a monthly stipend that they would continue to provide.
The Caribbean Lightweight Campion will now be able to focus on defending his title later in the year, and getting ready for other international engagements.
President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, views the companies’ commitment as a significant step in the right direction for boxing and sport in general.
“It’s a significant step, because we hope that other business enterprises will follow suit. It’s hard by itself to be able to concentrate on your training alone, so this will go a far way with assisting Mr. Eastman, who has to defend his title later this year in Trinidad and Tobago,” Ninvalle said.
The GBA boss went on to explain the advantage that foreign athletes hold over local athletes, who are forced to train and work simultaneously. Ninvalle has thus appealed to corporate Guyana to get on board with the movement.
“We honestly hope that other business enterprises will catch on to this. We have Keevin Allicock and many other fighters who need to just be able to focus on their sport alone. It is extremely hard when you go overseas and have to participate against other boxers who are just employed in the sport alone. In Guyana, you have people who have to work, and training has to take a back seat to employment,” he explained.
Speaking on behalf of the benevolent companies, Darren Elcock explained he is aware of the challenges that athletes may face, and said the companies are elated to lend Eastman a helping hand.
“We’re very proud and happy to be able to give support and help. I know how hard it is to train and be able to transform yourself to reach an international level, especially in a combat sport. So, anything we can do, we are very happy that we can. I wish you luck, and I hope that you can maintain your title and achieve bigger and better things,” Elcock stated.
Often described as a man of few words, Jamal Eastman lived up to the description. However, the young Berbician did not fail to express his eternal gratitude to Delmur and Dquan Shipping, and pledged that the stipend and gear would allow him to perform to the best of his abilities. (Jemima Holmes)