After realising the raw talent of the young boxers at the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) Under-16 tournament at Goed Fortuin last weekend president Steve Ninvalle again forwarded the notion to have the sport instituted in schools as a non-contact.
Ninvalle said the enthusiasm of the participants was heartening and the need to further decentralise the sport should be a focus. He indicated that if the sport goes into schools in the form of non-contact then students will learn the rudimentary aspects of the sport.
Students, he believes, will be able to learn about working the bags, how to use the gear in the sport and a host of other theoretical aspects relating to the sport. This was his deduction after the tournament, which was held at Anderson Sports Complex.
Further, when Ninvalle spoke with Stabroek Sport yesterday, he said that there is also the need for more investment in the sport so as to ensure sustainability. He pointed out that despite the rains last week and the makeshift right the fighters put their all into the event and that was “exceptional”.
He posited also that with investments then there will be an even more widespread recognition for other young talented prospective fighters. The tournament was part of Wincel Thomas, national boxing coach, evaluation exercise for the work he has been doing in the West Demerara area since January 6. He had told this publication last week that some of the participants of the programme were awkward and uncoordinated but there were some talented youngsters in both male and female categories. He had also noted that if they commit to the programme they can become excellent fighters. He identified two girls from Good Intent and a boy from Goed Fortuin. According to Thomas, who is working with children under 16 years old, he will continue working with them to ensure that the objectives he started out with on January 6 are achieved. Meanwhile, the eight gyms that battled for honours included the recently established West Side Bombers (WSB) situated in the host area, Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF), Harpy Eagles (HE), Port Kaituma (PK), Five Star, Ricola (RIC), Essequibo (Essq) and Timerhi Warriors (TW).
In other results: Telburt Baptiste (WSB) defeated Kevin Mullins (HE), Stephon Lewis (WSB) scored a second victory for his gym when he defeated Nick Soodoo (HE); Michael Allicock (HE) got the better of Lionel Narine (WSB) with a unanimous decision.
Jonathon Lewis (HE) was too much for Caleb Bell (Five Star); Caleb’s gym mate, Ryan Summer forced the referee to stop his bout against Kemo Lampkin (FYF) in 1:05secs of the second round while Kevin Thomas (PK) also stopped Nero Persaud (HE) in 1:03s of the second round.
Shemar Moore, of Ricola, lost to Neil De Santos after the referee stopped the fight in the third round; Jeremy Scott (FYF) lost to Keith Fraser (PK). Orrin Bancroft (HE) was defeated by Joshua Bell (Five Star); Shaka Moore, of Essequibo, defeated Elijah Insanally (HE) while Jamal Archer (HE) lost to Laurex Cummings (Five Star).
Matthew Hollingsworth beat Kellon Crandon (Timerhi), Ansel Cole (Timerhi) dropped a points-decision to Glen Eastman (RIC) and Kevin Roberts of Essequibo could not get past Stephen Joseph (FYF).
Yohan Richmond (WSB) won against Jevon Richards (HE) and Joshua Benjamin defeated Jeremiah Scott (FYF).
