THE Guyana Amateur Boxing Association has postponed its National Novices boxing competition. The competition was scheduled to be held today and tomorrow at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre (California Square). However, GABA president Steve Ninvalle said that the recent spate of inclement weather has forced the association to push back the competition to August 8-9. He noted that California Square is an outdoor venue and rain is forecast for the next few days.
When it punches off, the competition will put the Guyana Defence Force on a direct collision course the Guyana Prison Service.
GDF were surprisingly dethroned by the Guyana Prison Service at the last Novices staged at the same venue. The Republicans, as the Prison Service is known, inflicted heavy damage on the army last year mainly due to hard work done by National coach Wincell Thomas.
The Boys from Camp and D’Urban Streets walked away with the Champion Gym trophy leaving GDF to play second fiddle. Meanwhile, this year’s competition will see the return of the Pocket Rocket Gym which has been relocated to Linden.
The Region Ten-based gym is a part of nine gyms shortlisted to compete. The gyms are: Essequibo Boxing Gym, Forgotten Youth Foundation, Guyana Defence Force, Police, Harpy Eagles, New Opportunity Corps, Rose Hall Jammers, Republicans and Young Achievers.
Last year the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) made a return to competitive boxing after an absence of over five years and would be participating again this year after GABA president held discussions with Brian King, Assistant Director of Youth in the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport.