Ninvalle confident in 3-man boxing team for SA Games

Three familiar faces will represent Guyana in the discipline of boxing at the upcoming South American Games and the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GBA) did not have to put much thought into who would comprise the team to the Games next month.

After all, three very capable pugilists have been training at the highest level Guyana has to offer all year and just last month, represented the Golden Arrowhead well at the Commonwealth Games in London.
As such, Keevin Allicock, Desmond Amsterdam, and Colin Lewis have been given the nod to the South American Games.
During an invited comment with Guyana Times Sport, GBA President Steve Ninvalle shared just how simple the decision was to make.
“The three selected to represent Guyana in the sport discipline of boxing are the three that would have been having continuous and continuous preparation. The thing is that we would not have had activity in our elite category for the year and these three boxers would have been preparing for the Commonwealth Games,” Ninvalle explained.
“So, we have continued their preparations for this South American Games that will be coming up shortly,” he went on to state.
Revealing that another official has been added to the team, Ninvalle shared his expectations for their performances.
The GBA boss disclosed “We have also as part of the preparation team, Cuban Coach Mr Francisco Roldan and I think that we expect that they would continue to give of their best.”
Roldan will join Terrence Poole, MS, as coach, while Gregory Cort has been named the team’s Manager.
“There were narrow misses for medals in the Commonwealth and we expect that what they would’ve learnt at the Commonwealth Games will turn into helping them get to the medal round in the [SA] Games,” Ninvalle added.
While the GBA boss is being careful to not underestimate the competition in the Region, he remains confident in his team.
“South American Games is a different kettle of fish, it’s a different style of fighting. If you ask me, I think it’s a bit tougher,” Ninvalle admitted.
Nonetheless, he went on to add, “But I expect that what they would’ve learnt training and competing, they would put in to when they get into the ring and hopefully, that would be able to get Guyana a medal.”
The South American Games are scheduled for October 1-15 in Asuncion, Paraguay. The boxers will be joined by other Guyanese athletes from the sports of badminton, table tennis, squash and swimming.