The Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) has set today to Sunday for the National Senior Open Championship.
And national coach Clifton Moore told Stabroek Sport that this will be one of the most celebrated championships on the calendar with some of the best boxers in Guyana coming together for a night of thrills.
Boxing clubs from all parts of the country are invited to take part, including those from Linden, Essequibo, Port Kaituma, Bartica and Berbice.
In the meantime, GABA president Affeeze Khan has highlighted some major concerns regarding amateur boxing in Guyana.
Khan maintains the stand he had taken regarding the current state of amateur boxing which he believes does not have a chance of survival five to ten years from now if adjustments within the administration of boxing are not made.
The administration of GABA is comprised of volunteers who willingly give their time to the sport while juggling full-time jobs and family responsibilities. It leaves a person to wonder, he posited, how long love for the sport can reign over financial reward for services.
Khan also noted that it is difficult for boxers out of Georgetown to take part in these events since there is a lack of resources. While accommodation is provided by government at the National Gymnasium, funds for transportation and meals are not granted. This in turn impedes the development of the individual boxer and consequently stifles the growth of amateur boxing in Guyana.
According to Khan, “A lot of the amateur boxers come from places like Essequibo, Berbice and Linden – now having somewhere to stay is not the problem but providing three meals a day for 50 to 60 boxers is not possible. The association does not have that kind of money.”
Khan contended too that amateur boxers like sports personality of the year, Cleveland Rock and Clive Atwell are the cream of the crop for the next generation of professional boxers and it is fair to say that unless more work is done to promote amateur boxing events and keep coaches occupied progress cannot be made.
Atwell who has won numerous medals for Guyana in major competitions alongside Aubrey Moore and Rock will be in the line-up for the championship starting tonight at the National Gymnasium. The event is free and this will hopefully encourage persons to show their support.
Meanwhile the boxers are preparing for their next bout which is billed for Milan, Italy, and the GABA president is urging the public and the business community to make a donation to help pay the airfare for national boxing coach Clifton Moore. The cost of his ticket is approximately $1 million and he can be contacted on telephone number 693-4744.
