DDL’s Schemel Patrick making a presentation to GBA’s Terrence Poole, MS, in the presence of Seon Bristol and the Jackman sisters, Alesha and Abiola
The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) and the Demerara Distillers’ Limited (DDL) on Wednesday moved to solidify and lengthen their partnership for the betterment of youth boxing.
This corporate giant has renewed its sponsorship of the GBA’s Under-16 programme.
The Pepsi/Mike Parris U16 tournament pushed the envelope in 2022 with a record number of tournaments in the calendar year, one of the reasons for the GBA being named “Best Association” at the National Sports Commission’s awards ceremony.
Now the GBA will be even more empowered to bolster the tournaments with in excess of a million dollars in sponsorship, compliments of DDL, under their Pepsi brand.
DDL Brand Communications Manager Schemel Patrick
Brand Communications Manager at DDL, Schemel Patrick, during the official announcement on Wednesday morning, emphasized the company’s commitment to the sport and the development of youths.
“I want to reiterate our continued commitment to partnering with the GBA. We see what the programme does, it provides youth with the necessary resources, the skills they need, and it builds them both professionally and personally. And, I mean, that ties in perfectly with our mandate and our mission at DDL and Pepsi,” Patrick shared.
She added, “A key focus for us at DDL and Pepsi is the advancement of youths through education and sport. So, that’s why we have continued to partner, because we have seen what the tournament has done. We have testaments in the room, the Jackman sisters who are products of the programme, who have gone on to do well for boxing and for Guyana.”
Highlighting the 11 years of DDL-GBA relationship, Technical Director of the GBA, Terrence Poole MS, in extending his gratitude, encouraged more corporate sponsors to replicate Pepsi’s efforts.
Poole commented, “As she earlier said, 11 years and counting, and I don’t think we had no sponsor on board who would’ve been with us so long, corporate sponsors would’ve come do their part and go; but DDL stuck with us. So, I just call on some corporate sponsors to take a leaf out of DDL’s book and say tomorrow, ‘Boxing, I have this for you; boxing, I’ll be there for you’.”
Also sharing remarks at Wednesday’s presentation was GBA Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Seon Bristol, who spoke to the growth of the tournament through DDL’s support.
“This has become so fruitful that, just last year, we have been able to stage over 16 Under-16 Schools boys’ and girls’ tournaments; and more so, we went into the Caribbean School boys’ Championship. It is telling us that we’re growing,” Bristol remarked.
“So, again, on behalf of the GBA, I want to thank you guys,” Bristol added in a bid of gratitude.
The GBA last held a Pepsi/ Mike Parris U16 tournament earlier this month, and would be looking to host at least two tournaments a month in order to foster development of up-and-coming boxers. (Jemima Holmes)
