NATIONAL boxing coach Francisco Hernandez Roldan, showered tons of praise on the Steve Ninvalle-steward Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), formerly known as the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association, after witnessing that entity’s National Open/Elite/Juniors/Youth Boxing Championships which took place last weekend.

According to Roldan, who spoke with Chronicle Sport last Sunday at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis gym, Guyana has the potential to produce Olympic boxing champions who are capable of competing at every Olympic Games in the future, starting with the 2016 Olympic Games in neighbouring Brazil.
“First of all, the most important thing about this tournament is that it was a senior one and I saw some boxers who are important to the GBA’s future plans, especially knowing that Guyana has the talent here when it comes to amateur boxing, something I said several times before,” stated the Cuban-born Roldan.
However, Roldan believes that if the GBA is to succeed with its plan that was mapped out for the future of the sport, a copy of which was handed over to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony, all and sundry must play their part physically and most importantly, financially.
“If we wish to introduce boxers from Guyana to international competitions, we cannot afford to wait until the last minute to do so. We have the ability to go far in the South and Pan American area, but early preparation is needed for us to do so.
“I am pleased with the work that has been done by the GBA. I give one plan to them and we are expecting that come 2013, this programme will be implemented since the time is very short for us to commence preparations for Brazil 2016.”
He added, “Amateur boxing in Guyana is too far off from the level of the sport in the world. We need to start that programme as early as January, as it has inside better conditions for a world gym along with financial support for a boxer who has world class ability, which is evident in Guyana’s amateur boxers.”
Roldan said he had made a request to take some boxers to a championship in Cuba from June 1 to 15 next year; one he feels will serve them well, since that country has the best amateur fighters in the world.
“The most important thing about this tournament is not the experience the boxers will have competing there … but having them go one month before, where they can undergo several training sessions, improving their technical and tactical abilities in the sport, along with his moral upbringing, which would be beneficial to them.
“We are very far from the level of amateur boxing around the world, but I repeat we have talent here and in order for us to do certain things, we need the support of the public and private sectors, as the boxers would have to be encamped and undergo two sessions daily.”
“I am sure that when that has been achieved, Guyana will not only have boxers competing in the Olympic Games, but also doing so successfully, bringing home medals as well, as the plan is a positive and challenging one for the GBA; so help is needed as it is 15 years now since Guyana has sent a boxer to the Olympic Games,” posited Roldan.
The Cuban, who also had a stint with Pakistan’s amateur pugilist prior to their participation in the last Asian Games, closed off by saying he is eagerly looking forward to next year, where he can commence work on the plan to bring Guyana success at boxing.