Arguably Guyana’s best prospects for medals at the South American Youth Game games, the boxing contingent suffered a TKO even before a punch was thrown as it was indicated to Coach Terrence Poole at that Guyana’s boxers would be unable to participate in the games due to a change in the age stipulation. However, this was never communicated to the Guyana Olympic Association.
Guyana’s hopes of medalling in boxing were dashed due to controversial age range changes made by the South American Youth Games technical committee
Contrary to the stipulated age as outlined in the Technical manual provided for Boxing to Guyana’s Chef de Mission, Godfrey Munore and as provided for the games management on the Extranet indicated that National Olympic Committees can register and have accreditation for athletes for the boxing competition born on January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2000, which Guyana complied with in their submission of athletes Christopher Moore and Keevin Allicock. However, contrary to the manuals provided, a change was made twice to the age requirement for boxing and was never communicated to the Guyana Olympic committee.
Following a letter from Munroe, a verbal apology was made to the Guyanese contingent outlining that the technical committee for the games would meet and review what transpired and a formal response would be issued.
Nevertheless, the decision was taken at the technical congress to not allow the Guyanese boxers to participate since it was felt that they would be too experienced.
Despite that set back, Guyana’s boxers continue to train and have been very supportive of their team mates.
Arrival
After arriving in Santiago, Chile on Friday last, the first challenge for the Guyanese contingent was adjusting to the climate as the temperature is minus 10-18 degrees.
However, reports from the Chef-De-Mission, Godfrey Munroe indicate that the team spirit is high as the confident athletes continue to train.
The first event in which Guyana is scheduled to participate in is Badminton which begins today with play starting from 10:00h with 10 countries participating.
Guyana’s hopes will be led by Priyanana Ramdhani and Tyrese Jefferey in the singles category as well as the mixed doubles and mixed teams.
Coach Gowkran Ramdhani has been putting the players through their paces and feels Guyana has a very competitive chance once the draw is favourable, he noted that his players are confident and focused going into the competition
Table Tennis
Meanwhile, the technical meeting for Table Tennis begins today where the draws for the competition will be made to determine the groups the players are placed in as well as the time and events schedules. Competition starts on Wednesday and concludes on Sunday (October 8) with game time set to begin at 10:00h daily.
Coach Idi Lewis has been putting Guyana’s table tennis prospects for medals Miguel Wong and Nickolus Romain through their paces daily. Lewis indicated that he likes the focus of the players and their response to training sessions. Coach Lewis has high hopes that they can convert their form to actual competition but pointed out that the weather is a concern since it takes longer to get warmed up.
Fourteen countries will be participating in the boys division of the competition
3×3 Basketball
The technical meeting for Basketball 3×3 begins on the Wednesday (October 4) where the draw will be made in the competition to determine the groups the players are placed in and the time and schedule of games.
Ten teams are in this competition and will run from Thursday to Sunday.
Coach Junior Hercules has been going through the paces with his charges Nigel Bowen, Akeem Crandon and Isaiah Hintzen.
The team has also been engaging various teams including Argentina, Colombia and Panama who have proven to be very competitive. Coach Hercules indicated that his biggest challenge would be the adaptation to the cold and getting the cardio of the team up given the higher altitude, weather and the fast paced nature of 3×3 basketball which uses a 12-second shot clock.
The team was invited to witness a Chilean professional league and played Colombian team in a n exchange exhibition friendly at half time over the past weekend.
Athletics
The technical meeting for Athletics begins on Thursday when the draws will be made.
Guyana’s charge for honours in athletics will come from the five-member team of Kenisha Philips who will compete in 100 and 200 metres. Her teammate Deshauana Skeete will compete in the 200 metres and 400 metres events while Annalisa Barclay will compete in the Long and broad jump events respectively.
Representing for the males is Mark Solomon who will compete in the 100 and 200 metres sprint events along with Jermaine King. The athletics squad will be in action from Friday (October 6).
