YESTERDAY the team of boxers who will be travelling to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, today in search of 2014 Olympic qualification paid a courtesy call on Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony at his Main and Quamina Streets office. The amateur boxers, Imran Khan (Bantamweight), Stefan Gouveia (Lightweight), Richard Williamson (Flyweight) and Bert Braithwaite (Junior Welterweight), were accompanied by the president of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) Steve Ninvalle and team coach Terrence Poole.
Ninvalle told Dr Anthony that he thinks the boxers have a good chance of qualification, adding “We are very optimistic of our chances of qualification; we have been in training over a month and I think the guys are ready”, Ninvalle said.
He went on to thank the minister for his contribution to the team since the ministry purchased a ticket worth US$1600 for Braithwaite to be a part of the Olympic hunt.
Ninvalle stated that the association has to cover a lot of expenses where accommodation and other matters are concerned but with the help they have been receiving the task is slowly being undertaken.
Responding to Ninvalle’s remarks, Dr. Anthony said it was a pleasure to assist the boxers in any way he could since this sport has a lot of promise.
“As you know our only Olympic medal was won in this sport and I continue to put resources into boxing because I think it is the sport that stands a chance of earning us more medals than any other,” he said.
“Boxing has a lot of positive things going for it with the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Gym being identified as our training centre for amateur boxers.
“We recently donated some equipment there and will be doing so again very soon. There is also the Cuban coach who will be with us for two years and I hope his stay here is productive,” the minister disclosed.
Finally he said: “I want to urge you boxers to do well for us in Brazil and when you qualify for the Olympics, get in the ring and beat up the competition because this is a chance for you to make your name internationally since you have already been working hard to make a name for yourself locally”.