Allicock roasts GBA, GOA for failing to provide medical personnel at SA Games

In a lengthy post on his Facebook page which has gone viral, amateur boxing standout, Keevin Allicock, criticized the brass of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA).

The statement was made following his “unexpected and scary” ordeal at the just concluded South American Games which he attended earlier this month in Paraguay.

In a well-written 13-paragraph statement dubbed ‘Our Sportsmen and Women Deserve Better’ which was posted on Wednesday night, Allicock eloquently articulated that local athletes are deserving of “basic yet fundamental privileges” which are not afforded.

He is advocating for change. The 23-year-old who earned a bronze medal at the event but lost his semi-final bout on the scales due to being overweight, stated in retrospect that a physiotherapist and a medical practitioner should have been a part of the local contingent at the multisport event which concluded on October 15.

In the beginning of his statement, Allicock wrote “… after much thought, I have decided to write on an unexpected and scary event that took place as a risk to my health during my stay in Paraguay for the South American Games 2022. My reason for this bold step is to be an advocate for myself and other sports men and women who are deserving of basic yet fundamental privileges.

One such privilege includes having a physiotherapist and a medical examiner as part of the traveling delegation to international sport tournaments of which GUYANESE athletes attend and represent the Co-operative Republic of Guyana without hesitation.”

The statement continued “On 11th October, 2022, I was diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis. The event, like I mentioned, was unanticipated and in the moment, I was at my weakest yet. Unfortunately, Guyana did not have a medical examiner. Unfortunately, Guyana did not have a single capable person with professional medical capabilities. Fortunately, assistance was rendered from medical officers of Team Panama until an ambulance arrived. This entire ordeal lasted 30 minutes before the ambulance arrived.

I am taking this opportunity to reiterate that just as much as we (athletes) undertake stringent preparations to give our all to medal at these games, similarly, measures have to be put in place to ensure our safety and wellbeing.

Apart from the need for sponsorship, which any association/federation will always advocate for - athletes deserve better!”

Allicock then went on to describe his unhealthy relationship with the GBA headed by Steve Ninvalle.

“I have been thrown into the lion’s den many times before by my own boxing association something I am unafraid to mention. I have grown accustomed to it, but this should not be so. Rather, I should have a healthy relationship with the executive body of the association whose responsibility I fall under as an amateur athlete.

To date, the President of the Boxing Association and the President of the Guyana Olympic Association (K. Juman Yassin) have failed to reach out to ask of my well-being. I came home with a Bronze medal. If not a word of congratulations, at least ask of my health.

I have suffered from injuries in the past. This time was different and it definitely served as a wakeup call; my body reacted in a way that made me helpless. I wish this on none of my colleague athletes and it is why I am making this statement to let all the relevant persons know better must be done.

Anchored on shared responsibility, each Associations/Federations and the Guyana Olympic Association ought to do better for athletes. For every tournament, a physiotherapist and a medical examiner ought to be present.”

In an immediate reaction, the GBA released the following statement:

“The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) regrettably, is forced to respond to comments made by local boxer Keevin Allicock on his personal page on the social media platform – Facebook, yesterday.

Mr. Allicock via a public proclamation on his Facebook page, criticized primarily the GBA and partially, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) for the lack of a physiotherapist and medical personnel at the 2022 South American Games.

‘My reason for this bold step is to be an advocate for myself and other sportsmen and women who are deserving of basic yet fundamental privileges. One such privilege includes having a physiotherapist and a medical examiner as part of the traveling delegation to international sports tournaments of which Guyana athletes attend and represent the Co-operative Republic of Guyana without hesitation.’

Allicock disclosed that he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis