The provisional suspension of President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) and Executive Committee (EC) Member of AIBA, Steve Ninvalle has been lifted but he was cautioned following a legal battle with disgruntled members of AIBA’s EC.
With representation from K. Juman Yassin and Teni Housty, Ninvalle was able to argue his case and the provisional suspension which was instituted on July was lifted on October 9. It was alleged in leaked emails and WhatsApp group messages that Ninvalle violated Articles 6.4 and 6.11 of the Code of Ethics. It was also alleged that Ninvalle attempted to organize and establish a de facto Caribbean Federation to replicate a similar organization that disbanded some time ago.
Summary of Complaint and Answers
The Complaint alleged that Ninvalle strongly disagreed with the selection by the AMBC President of three representatives from Caribbean National Federations to develop a presentation for the AIBA EC meeting in July 2018 in Abu Dhabi. The presentation was intended to examine the Region’s development needs. Once developed, the presentation would be shared with other Caribbean federations for their inputs. It is alleged that Mr. Ninvalle was upset that he was not consulted by the AMBC President prior to making the appointments and therefore applied pressure to other Caribbean nations not to support the presentation.
The Complaint further contended that Ninvalle made numerous false, misleading or derogatory statements against the persons selected to be presenters and AIBA. The Complaint alleges that Mr. Ninvalle violated Articles 6.4 and 6.11 of the Code as well as Ninvalle’s Certification of Compliance with the AIBA Code of Ethics which he signed as a member of the EC.
In response to the complaint prepared by counsel for Ninvalle, he denied any code violations and argued that the emails submitted as exhibits to the Complaint failed to set forth facts that support the allegations.
Ninvalle asserted that the selection of representatives by the AMBC President was made without the input of the Caribbean federations and thus did not promote or support Caribbean unity. Further, Ninvalle argued that the selection process did not follow “accepted principles of prior informed consent.”
Verdict by AIBA Disciplinary Commission Panel Barry Jones Disciplinary Panel Chair Dated: October 9th 2018
We do not believe that Mr. Ninvalle’s intentions were with malice toward AIBA. Rather they were generated by an overzealous position to advance his perceived interests of the Caribbean as a whole. Pursuant to 6.11 of the Code, the DC has discretion on the type of sanction to impose. We do not find that Mr. Ninvalle’s actions and statements warrant continued suspension. Therefore, the DC issues this decision of reprimand as a strong caution to Mr. Ninvalle to avoid further efforts to form a Caribbean quasi-federation or intimidate and pressure National Federations to adhere to the positions of a majority of Caribbean nations. Accordingly, Mr. Ninvalle’s provisional suspension is hereby lifted and he is reinstated as an EC member with all attendant rights, duties and responsibilities.
With regard to the other code violations asserted in the Brief, the Panel has carefully considered those charges and finds that there is a lack of evidence and proof to support such findings. The Complainant (s) have simply failed to meet the burden of proof on the additional violations and they are dismissed.
The DC issues this reprimand. No other violations are found to have been proved with relevant credible facts. The provisional suspension is lifted and dismissed. Federations from St Lucia, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago were in Ninvalle’s corner and were happy with the outcome of the decision by the DC.
President of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Association, Cecil Forde stated the following:
“The Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Association congratulates you for your hard won battle in having your good name cleared. AIBA at the end showed good faith and must be commended for doing the right thing. For those among us who sought to undermine you and the Caribbean as a whole must be dealt with appropriately.
The Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Association have all confidence in your leadership and you have our full support in making sure our beloved sport of boxing continues to develop in the region. We look forward to participating in the Caribbean Development Tournament in December.”
Meanwhile, Ninvalle will be contesting the AMBC Presidency on November 3 in Moscow, Russia.
