THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will stage its first Pepsi Michael Parris Under-16 card for the year this afternoon, starting at 17:00hrs at the National Gymnasium.

Several gyms from across the country will battle for honours, including the recently-formed Savannah Boxing Gym of Region Nine and the Moruca Power Right Gym of Region One. The gyms were formed following direct intervention by Minister of Social Cohesion Dr George Norton.

The minister was instrumental in employing coach Orland Rogers, who has been visiting regions and honing the skills of future champions. Rogers was recently in Region Seven and plans to travel to Region Eight soon.

GBA president Steve Ninvalle disclosed that Technical Director Terrence Poole is in charge of organising the event which has 20 fights scheduled.

The Savannah Gym arrived in Georgetown yesterday afternoon. Its four-man team is being led by head coach Floyd Vincent.

Rose Hall Jammers Gym and the Clifton Moore-led Vergennoegen Gym are expected in Georgetown at 08:00hrs today, one hour before the start of weigh-in.

Guyana’s silver medallist at last year’s Youth Commonwealth Games `Lightning’ Keevin Allicock is a product of the DDL Under-16 programme which is in its sixth year.