The Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) yesterday received $100,000 from Gaskin and Jackson Jewellers for the sponsorship of the National Open Boxing Championships which gets underway on Sunday .
Managing Director of the company, Dean Jackson yesterday presented president of the GABA Affeeze Khan with the donation which was done at the company’s Camp Street branch.
Khan said that the donation would be specifically used for tournament expenses including the purchase of medals and trophies.
Jackson said that he did not hesitate to come to GABA’s assistance for the hosting of the tournament as he was a close friend of Khan and was very supportive of his attempts to improve the sport.
He added that in his opinion boxing was one of the answers to getting youths off the streets and into positive activities.
Khan thanked the businessman for his generosity and assured him that it would be utilized to help develop the sport locally through the competitive experience provided by this tournament.
Khan stated that he felt the GABA’s National Open Boxing Championships which begins at 6pm each night would be a highly competitive tournament and pointed out that six local boxers will participate in a regional tournament in Trinidad next week which will serve as part of their preparations for the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India in October.