GOA to fund training camp, $100K grant for Pan Am-bound boxers

Three Guyanese youth boxers have secured places in the forthcoming Pan American Junior Games, bringing to 8 the number in Guyana’s contingent to the Games.
In order to get the boxing team prepared, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has committed to funding a local training programme. Following discussions with the relevant stakeholders, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) on Thursday morning announced that Alesha Jackman, Travis Inverary and Patrick Harvey have been able to secure places at the first-ever Junior Pan American Games, which begin next month.
In order to ensure that these three boxers are adequately prepared for the multisport event, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has come on board with the necessary financial assistance to run a local camp. In addition, the boxers will be given Gy$100,000 for their own use.
Speaking about this cash assistance, GBA President Steve Ninvalle verbalised appreciation to the GOA for its support.
“I would honestly want to extend gratitude to the Executives of the Guyana Olympic Association and Mr Juman-Yassin. The $100,000 is not what the GOA would be giving for the training programme, this is for each boxer that is going, and I don’t know if Mr. Yassin has taken a leaf from what has happened in the Olympics. Because at the Olympics, we would’ve given some money to them, but I think it’s a very good gesture that each and every athlete can now look forward to these things, which I think more or less cushions some of the effects, frustrations, hardships that they would have,” the GBA boss shared.
He continued, “I can’t remember this ever happening with a junior team, but we want to extend gratitude to you, Mr. Yassin.”
During the press briefing, Ninvalle also revealed that he has extended invitations to youth boxers from Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados to join the Guyanese camp. Ninvalle disclosed, “We’ve spoken with Trinidad, we’re also speaking with Barbados at this time, to see if they will want to join our camp that we’re having, and this is the precursor to…because Guyana is one of the best countries in the Caribbean as it relates to boxing.”
On the other side of the microphone was GOA President K.A. Juman-Yassin, who expressed contentment at being part of the initiative.
“Steve, happy to be associated with, and I look forward to a very successful local training programme in Guyana,” Yassin responded.
Ninvalle has also shared his expectation for the trio at the Cali Games.
“The Junior Pan Am Games is much more important to me, because it tells of our nursery, and these are the boxers who, in the next 6, 7, or 8 years, or maybe the next four years, will be guiding our elite and our senior teams. So, there’s much expectation from them,” Ninvalle stated.
The training programme will be as diverse as possible, with a decision being taken to decentralise the training venues. Ninvalle informed, “We have met with our technical team, being our Coaches Commission, and that is being worked out as it is. There are a number of facilities, not only in Georgetown, because of the fact that the training will not only be centred in Region 4 alone.”
Aside from the boxers, the GOA last week injected US$8000 into Miguel Wong’s Pan Am journey, inclusive of training. Also on Guyana’s Junior Pan Am team is swimmer Aleka Persaud, badminton players Priyanna Ramdhani and Akili Haynes, and table tennis player Jonathan Van Lange. (Jemima Holmes)