Boxers, coaches for three-month stint in Cuba ahead of Olympic Qualifiers

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) received a shot in the arm from the National Sports Commission (NSC) yesterday to the tune of $1M.

The sum is the first disbursement of the $2.5M pledged by the commission to help offset airfare, accommodation and meal expenses during a 12-week training stint for four boxers and two coaches in Cuba ahead of the Olympic Qualifiers in March.

Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, made the presentation to President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle at the NSC’s headquarters on Homestretch Avenue.

Jones highlighted that the first disbursement will be used to purchase tickets for the outfit which includes standout pugilists, Keevin Allicock, Colin Lewis, Desmond Amsterdam and Dennis Thomas and coaches, Terrence Poole (MS) and Sebert Blake.

According to Jones, the remaining sum will be presented early in the new year.

The locals are scheduled to depart on December 29. Ninvalle pointed out that in the past, training stints ahead of major tournaments lasted just a couple of weeks and proved insufficient since Guyana has not clinched an Olympic berth since 1996. He noted that a three-month exposure to high level training and competitions in Cuba should be ideal for the four boxers ahead of the Olympic Qualifiers.

According to Ninvalle, the Olympic Qualifiers will be staged from March 26- April 3 in Argentina. He also stated that in excess of US$30,000 is needed to blanket expenses in Cuba and that the Guyana Olympic Association will also join the government in helping to shoulder the load.