Eight weeks before the start of the 2019 Pan American Games, the Guyana Boxing Association has written to the Guyana Olympic Association to “immediately put on hold all stipends” and the preparatory sojourn to Cuba for boxing standout boxer Keevin Allicock .
The reason cited in the letter seen by this publication, stems from the 19 year-old being “delinquent in regards to attending training sessions locally.”
Below is the crux of the letter written by President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle.
“I write with deep regret to recommend that the Guyana Olympic Association put on hold Keevin Allicock’s trip to Cuba to prepare for the Pan Am Games.
“Upon careful investigation it was uncovered that Mr. Allicock has been delinquent in regards to attending training sessions locally and his attitude towards the task at hand is nothing short of lackadaisical.
“From May 1 to May 23 Mr. Allicock attended 12 of 30 training sessions held by the Cuban Coach Mr. Francisco Roldan. This is despite the pleadings of several.
“Less than 50 percent attendance at training leading up to any competition is unacceptable barring illness. Our conclusion is that if Mr. Allicock is unconcerned about his training in Guyana and treats it as unimportant then it is only logical that the same will happen in Cuba.”
The letter also stated that six weeks ago a meeting was held with Allicock, his Coach, Sebert Blake and President of the GOA, K Juman- Yassin to warn Allicock and iron out the wrinkles. However, since then, his attendance has allegedly gotten worse. “You would remember sir that approximately six weeks ago we were forced to have a meeting with you, Mr. Allicock and Coach Sebert Blake relating to the boxer’s approach to training.
“Cuban Coach Francisco Roldan had complained that Allicock failed to attend a number of sessions and could offer no logical excuse. We had then warned the Caribbean Bantamweight champion that his attitude towards training needed to drastically improve.
“This has not happened and his attendance has gotten worse. In fact, Mr. Allicock failed to even attend a Medical Examination provided by the GOA and offered the excuse of “not feeling well” as the reason for his absence. All of this comes against the backdrop of Mr. Allicock coming in at over six pounds over the bantamweight limit for his last fight in Guyana.
“On Saturday, May 25, 2019 at another meeting chaired by you, Mr. Allicock could offer no reason for his absence from training.
“Being concerned about his approach to training and preparation for such an important international engagement, the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association recommends to you that his imminent trip to Cuba be put on hold. We also recommend that the GOA immediately put on hold all stipends paid to Mr. Allicock until the GBA signals that there has been an improvement in his attitude towards training.”
Efforts to contact Allicock for a comment proved futile.
The Pan American Games is scheduled from July 26 to August 11 in Lima, Peru. Allicock is Guyana’s lone representative for the fistic sport.
