-says stipend important if boxers are to gain Olympic berths
By Emmerson Campbell
The Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) says it has completed a document that entails a four-year plan to help clinch Olympic berths at the next Olympic Games in Brazil for the sport that has won the nation its only Olympic medal.
Since ‘Big’ John Douglas represented Guyana in 1996 at the Atlanta Games, Guyana has failed to have a representative in amateur boxing at subsequent Olympic Games.
Following the abysmal performances by the local Simon Pures at the Olympic box off this year, administrators called for a four-year plan to be implemented for success in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
According to GABA’s president, Steve Ninvalle, this call has been heeded and answered and will be put into effect in the not too distant future.
“The Guyana Amateur Boxing Association has completed a document of a four-year plan that will take amateur boxing to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil,” said Ninvalle during an interview with Stabroek Sport recently.
“Following the last Olympics, administrators had called for a plan to take us to the next Olympics. We heeded and took that call quite seriously and we have compiled a document which will be handed over to the Minister of Sport. Following that, we will give (the document) to the Director of Sport, the Olympic Association and the professional board.”
Ninvalle said that the document will comprise of series of steps in order to put the local pugilists on the road to Rio. “This document entails a budget and systems in place to get our boxers fully prepared. It has in order of priority, overseas engagements that we should compete in and it also pointed out who should be training the boxers, it also has a stipend for the boxers.
“Since 1996, Guyana has not been represented at the Olympics and we want to change that and we hope that this document can assist us greatly in turning that around,” he added.
Ninvalle noted that the boxer’s stipend was one of the most important aspects of the document and it was fully discussed and endorsed by Director of Sport, Neil Kumar and the president of the Guyana Olympic Association, K.A. Juman Yassin.
“The aspect that was important was a stipend for the boxers.”
We discussed this with the Director of Sport Neil Kumar and the president of the Guyana Olympic Association K. Juman Yassin who has signaled his intention to assist, both of them mentioned that they are willing to put their shoulders to the wheel as it relates to uplifting and developing the sport of amateur boxing in the country.”
The GABA boss also noted that the document was supposed to be completed three weeks ago but the association needed more time in order to propose a proficient four year plan.
During the interview, Ninvalle also commended the association’s General Secretary, Sean Richmond for his input on the document.
