GBA records overwhelming response for Development Tournament

…Signals continued growth of boxing in Guyana

The Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) Development Tournament continues to grow from strength to strength, with National Coach Lennox Daniels revealing that this weekend’s edition has already attracted close to 60 boxers from gyms across the country.
The tournament, which is set for Saturday, May 30, at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, from 17:00h, is expected to feature some of Guyana’s brightest young prospects as the GBA continues its aggressive grassroots development programme.
According to Daniels, the overwhelming response from boxing gyms is another clear indication that amateur boxing in Guyana is on an upward trajectory.
“So far, we are looking at almost 60 boxers for Saturday’s tournament, and that number itself tells a story,” Daniels said ahead of the event.
According to Daniels, “the interest continues to grow, and more gyms are becoming active in the developmental programme, which is exactly what we want to see.”
Among the gyms expected to field sizeable contingents are the Andrew “Six Head” Lewis Gym, Pace and Power Boxing Gym, Rose Hall Jammers, New Amsterdam Boxing Academy, Police Boxing Gym, and Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym.
Daniels noted that the Development Tournament has become one of the most important pillars in the country’s boxing structure, providing young fighters with critical ring experience while helping coaches and selectors identify emerging talent.

“These tournaments are extremely important because they give the young boxers the opportunity to compete consistently and gain valuable experience,” Daniels explained. “You cannot develop a boxer without competition, and what the GBA has been doing through these developmental cards is creating the perfect environment for growth.”
He further praised the GBA for maintaining a structured pathway for the country’s fighters, noting that the developmental system has significantly improved the overall standard of boxing locally.
“The GBA must be commended for the pathway they have created for these young athletes. A boxer can now enter the programme at the grassroots level, participate in developmental tournaments, improve steadily, and eventually graduate to national and international competition,” Daniels said.
“That structure is very important because it gives athletes motivation and direction. They can now see a future in the sport if they remain disciplined and committed,” the GBF national coach said.
The broader tournament continues to reflect the steady growth of amateur boxing in Guyana. According to the GBA, the move to host events at the National Gymnasium is a direct response to increasing participation levels and the rising number of gyms actively involved in the developmental programme.
In previous years, developmental cards were often staged at smaller gyms and community venues. However, the expanding participation numbers have forced organisers to seek larger accommodations capable of hosting the growing number of athletes and supporters.
Recent editions of the Development Tournament have produced several impressive performances from gyms such as Pace and Power Boxing Gym, Harpy Eagle Boxing Gym, Andrew Lewis Boxing Gym, and the New Amsterdam Boxing Academy, further reinforcing the competitive balance that now exists throughout the local boxing landscape.
The consistent emergence of talent from various regions has also strengthened the national programme, with selectors now having a deeper pool of fighters to monitor and develop.
Saturday’s tournament is, therefore, expected to provide another exciting showcase of Guyana’s emerging boxing talent while continuing the GBA’s mission of strengthening the sport from the grassroots level upward.