On April 3, 2004, Guyana’s first world boxing champion, Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis, ceremoniously cut the ribbon to commission ‘The Andrew Lewis Boxing Gym’ in his honor.
Fast forward to today, the gym appears abandoned and almost in ruins.
To put it politely, the facility is in dire need of renovation including the restocking of modern gym equipment.
When it first opened, the spanking new $24M venue, marked the realization of a promise made by then President Bharrat Jagdeo when Lewis achieved the historic feat on February 17, 2001, knocking out James Page in 1:49 minutes of the seventh round to win the WBA welterweight title.
However, since then, both administrations, the PPP/C and APNU/AFC coalition government, have failed to effectively and efficiently maintain the gym based in Callendar Street.
The boxing fraternity will be hoping that new Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., and his ministry bucks the trend.
“The Andrew Lewis gym is rundown and in dire need of attention,” said President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle.
“There is not even one piece of equipment worthy of use in that gym,” Ninvalle added.
Stabroek Sport visited the gym yesterday and Ninvalle’s words were confirmed.
Caretaker of the gym, legendary trainer, George ‘Canchie’ Oprecht, posited that one of the fittest ways to continue to honor the late ‘Sixhead’s legacy, is to adequately maintain the gym named after him.
He said:“This whole place run down. It needs everything, a new ring, new gym equipment, punching bags, the washrooms need to fix, the yard needs weeding, the whole building needs work.”
To underline the state the facility is in, even the sign that has the name of the gym has broken off and has been left in a corner.
During the visit to the gym, it was also revealed that persons have taken up residence in the upper flat building.
However, Ninvalle is optimistic that with the installation of a new cabinet, positive changes will be made with regards to the restoration of the gym to its illustrious days.
“We all know that sport is not in the shape it should be in Guyana. My hope is that boxing can get its own and proper home. Without fear of being contradicted I submit that boxing is a priority sport for and in Guyana.”
He added: “Boxing is Guyana’s best bet for an Olympic medal at this time, but this will only happen if the necessary resources are made available. I am optimistic that the new administration will breathe fresh air into the boxing fraternity.”
