Guyana has, for the first time in the history of local amateur boxing, participated in International Boxing Day celebrations, which are supervised by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
With training programmes including Guyana’s past, present and future boxing talents, Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle has shared how this would impact the fraternity, and has proffered his gratitude to the leadership of AIBA, President Umar Kremlyov, for equipping and placing Caribbean nations in the ‘front seat’ of the development of boxing.
GBA President Steve Ninvalle
“Well, Guyana is honoured to be a part of the International Boxing Day. The International Boxing Day activities are something that go across the world, and it’s the first time that we as an Association will be participating,” Ninvalle, GBA President, said on the occasion.
He went on to reveal, “What we’ve done, we’ve had several programmes. One was held at the Andrew ‘Six Heads’ Lewis Gym on Saturday. I think one of our former boxers would’ve gone over to assist in repainting and cleaning up the yard and so forth, and on the actual day, August 27, we (had) a massive showcasing of our past boxers, our present boxers, and our future boxers.”
Highlighting that this is the first time Guyana is participating in the celebrations, Ninvalle credited the relationship between AIBA and the Caribbean boxing nations to the election of AIBA’s President, Umar Kremlyov.
Ninvalle said, “This has been the brainchild of AIBA President Umar Kremlyov, who I think has the vision to take our boxing to another level. We (the entire Boxing Family) are now reaping the benefits of him being the President of AIBA.”
Ninvalle went on to share, “It also says that our Caribbean brothers and sisters are being drawn in to what is done with boxing internationally. Before, it was not like that, we always had a back seat, and now we are also in the front seat of the development of boxing.”
Ninvalle took opportunity to send warm wishes to the members of the GBA, and to the athletes, for making this year’s venture a success.
“So, I’d like to congratulate Mr. Kremlyov; I’d like to congratulate my executives of the Guyana Boxing Association, and also the athletes and coaches,” The GBA President said.
Ninvalle has expressed hope of improving the celebration in years to come.
“I think this programme will do well for us, and, hopefully, next year we can replicate and do something much better.”
International Boxing Day was celebrated on Friday, August 27.
