By Emmerson Campbell
As part of the vision to decentralize amateur boxing, the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) will embark on a series of clinics outside of Georgetown to spot and develop the skills of the local Simon Pures.
National Coach Wincell Thomas, GABA’s Technical Director Terrence Poole and Cuban Coach Francisco Hernandez Roldan will travel to the mining town of Linden to conduct a two-day clinic commencing on Saturday.
During an interview with Stabroek Sport on Monday, GABA’s President Steve Ninvalle stated that amateur boxing has been dormant in Linden and the clinics will be a shot in the arm for the sport in the mining town.
Ninvalle said: “Amateur boxing has been very dormant in Linden for quite some time and this is another part and parcel of giving amateur boxing a shot in the arm in Linden.”
He continued: “This will be the first of several trips because there will be follow-up trips by these coaches because we are trying to decentralize boxing because not Georgetown alone must be flooded with everything so that is why are trying to decentralize the sport so basically we are asking that persons who are desirous of making boxing a career or just picking it up as a hobby can get in contact with the gyms in Linden because we will be there Saturday and Sunday.”
Ninvalle disclosed that Roldan who is in Guyana on a two-year stint will make recommendations and subsequently prepare a report on his findings to the association.
“The Cuban coach (Roldan) will be giving his recommendations and a report on what he sees fit for the early development of the amateur boxers in Linden. He has already done this in Georgetown and on the East Coast of Demerara and his next step is to go to Berbice to carry out similar clinics.”
Ninvalle also disclosed that Berbice will host the second DDL/Gatorade under-16 competition next month.
