The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has pledged its full support to newly-elected President of the International Boxing Association (AIBA), Umar Kremlev.
This is according to President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle.
The Russian became the new president of amateur boxing’s world governing body after winning the election on Saturday with 57.33% of the votes.
AIBA’s election was held virtually at its ongoing congress due to the pandemic. It was attended by 155 national federations from five continents.
Said Ninvalle yesterday “The Guyana Boxing Association is pledging its full support to Mr. Kremlev and will work with him to ensure that the goals that he has for boxing are realized.”
Kremlev said he plans to pay off millions of dollars in debt accumulated by the AIBA under previous administrations, rebuild the credibility and trust that the AIBA once had, and restore the AIBA’s Olympic status.
Ninvalle, who openly endorsed Kremlev prior to the election, congratulated him and stated that the Caribbean and the majority of the affiliates were sure Kremlev can captain AIBA’s ship out of troubled waters.
“I have no doubt in my mind that Mr. Kremlev has boxing at heart and I am confident that he will turn things around in the Caribbean and the wide world of boxing,” said Ninvalle.
He added “It is my hope that the world can now join hands and rally around this young, visionary leader to make boxing much better.”
Ninvalle also disclosed that following the election, he received a call from Kremlev reiterating his support for the Region.
“I received a call an hour after the election from him pledging to ensure that the Caribbean receives what it rightfully deserves to foster development,” he said.
The GBA head revealed that Kremlev was the only candidate who visited the Region prior to the election and laid out plans to resuscitate the fistic sport.
“He was the only candidate in the AIBA election who traveled to the Caribbean to have a look at what is needed and what has to be done. He invited several leaders of the Caribbean to a special forum in Panama in which he laid out plans for boxing, not only in the Caribbean but Latin America and South America” Ninvalle concluded.
