The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) is still on the ropes, battling to secure adequate funds to send its seven-member team to the Pan Am Qualifiers in Tijuana, Mexico.
According to Technical Director of the association, Terrence Poole, “just above a million dollars” is needed to blanket the cost of airfare and accommodation for the five boxers and two coaches who are schedule to wing out tomorrow for the June 4-9 championships.
“It’s a challenge but it’s not over until the fat lady sings” Poole stated yesterday.
With a team like this going to represent Guyana, we would expect that all hands would be onboard for this national duty” he added.
In an interview with Stabroek Sport last week, President of the association, Steve Ninvalle noted that “To miss the qualifier basically says that we cannot qualify for the Pan Am, and these championships are preparation for the Olympics next year and if we miss them we do ourselves an injustice. An injustice of not being properly prepared for the Olympics.”
The team selected in order of priority is Dennis Thomas, Dellon Charles, Jason Phillips, Dawani Lampkin and US based Quincy ‘Biggie’ Small.”
Sebert Blake and Francisco Hernandez Roldan will coach the outfit. Blake will also undertake the duties of manager.
The 2015 Pan American Games will take place in Toronto, Canada, from July 10-26, and feature 36 Pan American-recognized summer sports.
