GUYANA and the English Caribbean delivered a knockout blow when president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle created history after being elected to the AIBA Executive Committee yesterday on Jeju Island in South Korea.

At approximately 13:45hrs (02:45hrs Guyana time) the GBA boss became the first person from the region to be ushered into the prestigious position and will serve for the next four years.
In a telephone interview with Chronicle Sport the former journalist expressed joy with the results and declared that his elevation is a victory for the entire region.
“As a region, the English-speaking Caribbean has never before been able to make inroads into the hexarchy of AIBA. We have been able to do that today. This, I believe, will breathe new life into the sport and create a renaissance. The Caribbean now has a voice in the most important decision forum in boxing,” Ninvalle declared.
According to reports Ninvalle’s latest achievement sparked wild celebration among the Caribbean delegation at the Congress.
President of the St Lucia Boxing Association David `Shakes Christopher labelled his election one of the most significant achievement the region has had in years. “We are beyond words at the moment. The Caribbean is going places. Respect to my brother Steve Ninvalle. I don’t think that we would be sleeping tonight.”
Grenada Boxing Association president and former president of the now-defunct Caribbean Amateur Boxing Association Ralph James claimed that the result of the Congress was an accomplished mission for the region.
“This has been a tremendous victory for the Caribbean. It is not a victory for Caribbean boxing but for Caribbean sport. I would put it this way; mission accomplished in round one,” James said.
Vice-president of the Bahamas Boxing Association Alvin Sergeant reasoned that a new trend in the sport was born.
“This is a major victory for the entire Caribbean and we are justly proud. It will start a new trend and would push us further ahead in the game,” Sergeant declared. His sentiments were echoed by Secretary General of the US Virgin Island Boxing Association Carolyn Wathley who pointed out that a win for Guyana remains a win for the Caribbean.
Following the election of presidents and vice- presidents of the five confederations the five remaining EC positions were contested for by 32 countries with Guyana coming out ahead of Japan, France, Spain, Hungary, Qatar, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Poland among others.
Shortly after, the Executive Committee met with re-elected president Ching-Kwo Wu at the KAL Hotel.