Trinidad and Tobago has now joined St. Lucia and Jamaica in confirming their participation in the fistic International Goodwill Competition here next month.
According to president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA),Steve Ninvalle, an 11-member contingent comprising seven pugilists (including a female) and four officials will participate in the competition from February 14 to 16 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
“Trinidad has finally confirmed their participation in the Goodwill series,” Ninvalle told Stabroek Sport yesterday. “We received communication from Cecil Forde, the president of the Trinidad Boxing Association moments ago and they will be sending the largest contingent which includes seven boxers and four officials.
The Trinidadian pugilists include: Akmal Strode (52kg), Christian McDonald (56kg), Michael Alexander (60kg), Jean Paul Cooper (64kg), Akiel Outram (69kg), Aaron Prince (75kg) and female, Chimbre Taylor (75kg),
Team Manager will be Forde, coaches Reynold Cox and Floyd Trumpet and referee/judge Codrington Joefield.
The Trinidadians are scheduled to arrive on February 13 and depart four days later with the St Lucians and the Jamaicans.
St. Lucia’s team includes three boxers Linden Micillen (light welterweight), Ron Bastiam (light middleweight) and Arthur Mangillur (super middleweight), the president of their association David ‘Shakes’ Christopher, Brian McDonald (Manager) and Conrad Fredericks (Head Coach).
“With Cecil Forde coming along with myself and Christopher that will make it three presidents,” Ninvalle pointed out.
“So we expect to hold discussions on a wide range of topics on amateur boxing in the Caribbean.”
Jamaica’s team is made up of four boxers and two coaches.
The Head Coach is Carl Grant while the co-coach is Godfrey Collins.
Patrick Sahadeo (lightweight), Anthony Clarke (light welterweight), Kestna Davis (welterweight) and Michael Gardner (middleweight) are the pugilists that will be in action.
Ninvalle also said:“We had sent out invitations to Barbados but they indicated that they will not be able to attend this competition since they have two competitions around the same time.”
The GBA has selected a squad of boxers who have already started training and encampment will follow soon.
Twenty four local boxers have commenced training for the February tournament, the South American Championships and the World Youth Championships in Bulgaria. They are: Imran Khan and Dennis Thomas of the Guyana Police Force Gym. Clairmont Gibson, Eon Bancroft, Bert Braithwaite, Desmond Amsterdam, Trevon King, Ron Smith, Omar Charles, Mark Marshall, Markember Pierre of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Gym; Stephan Chan, Dawani Lampkin, Junior Henry and Septon Barton of the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) Gym; Stephan Gouveia and Orin Bancroft of the Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym; Stephan Nedd, Anandram Dharamraj and Jason Barker of the Republican Gym and Michael April and Travis Fraser of Tiger Eye Gym
The females shortlisted are Dwon Thompson (GDF) and Theresa London (FYF).
The Simon Pures will be under the watchful eyes of Poole, Sebert Blake, Wincel Thomas and Cuban coach, Francisco Hernandez Roldan.
