Since 2016 is done and dusted, and today is only the third day in the New Year, most sporting bodies would be in the process of planning, if not completed their annual agenda. However, in the world of Boxing, the vision is not only for 2017 but further up the road in 2020, the year Tokyo is set to host the Olympics where Guyana has its eyes on medaling once more in ring. Guyana has only managed one Olympic medal, a bronze, won in boxing back in 1986 by Michael Paris.
Looking at this goal, it is a realistic possibility and even the president of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), Steve Ninvalle believes we can bring glory back to this great nation.
During the 2016 season Amateur Boxing recorded some of its most prestigious moments where some new blood had been found within the shadows of local gyms as they matched punch for punch in the three amateur tournaments held by GABA and their expansion to regional dominance of late. Most notably is the complete destruction of opponents when Guyana participated in the Caribbean Development Boxing Tournament in Barbados, returning with a massive haul of 10 gold medals and one silver while Christopher Moore copped the Best Boxer title as well.
GABA President Steve Ninvalle
“These guys have proven what we have been saying all this time that they are the best in the Caribbean and I dare say the best anywhere if we are given the facilities and resources. We will make sure we prove that and we proved it when we bring home not only medals from the Caribbean but medals from the world championships and medals from the Olympics.” Ninvalle said. However, it will be no walk in the park. Making reference to the dedication the athletes and he had put in by walking 100 miles just to raise funds to go to the trip in Barbados. As such, the athletes and the administration will have to go the extra mile if they want to see results.
“The road to the Olympics is the longest journey we will have and we have started and taken the first step by winning the Caribbean championship. Our next step is to make sure we can go to Latin America and win there and further afield to the Olympic qualifiers and then the Olympics,” the GABA President pointed out.
Minister with responsibility for sports, Nicolette Henry, Guyana Olympic President K. A. Juman Yassin and Director of Sport Christopher Jones have all pledged to do everything in their power to support the sport. While on the other hand, top local boxing coach Sebert Blake of the Forgotten Youths Foundation has already began pressing the administration to actually put their words into action and has thrown his career on the line. He has since stated that if he is given the necessary resources he is guaranteeing an Olympic medal.
