THE upcoming Caribbean Development Boxing tournament is set to have more than 75 fights during a four day period which has now forced organisers to consider two sessions per day. President of the Guyana Amateur d Boxing Association (GABA) Steve Ninvalle yesterday confirmed that he is in discussion with Kathy Harper-Hall of Barbados, Ralph James of Grenada and James Beckles of Trinidad and Tobago in order to fit all the bouts.
“I think the response was a bit more than what we expected. We have had a record number of entries and we, a Caribbean team are working to make sure that all the bouts will be run off smoothly,” Ninvalle said yesterday.
The tournament is scheduled for November 26 to 29 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. It has attracted 14 countries and is being dubbed the largest gathering of countries in Guyana for any sport in decades. Close to one hundred boxers and 30 officials are expected in for the competition which has regional bragging rights at stake.
“There are 26 bouts scheduled for the first day of competition. If we are to get through with this there would be a need for two sessions, at least for the first day,” Ninvalle claimed. The GABA boss said that a decision would be made by Wednesday.
Anguilla, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, St. Maartin, St. Vincent, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago have registered to come to Guyana.
Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago have the largest teams. Barbados has registered 21 boxers while Trinidad is one behind. The Bajan team has a staggered arrival with three fighters due in on November 24. The rest of the team arrive the following day.
Meanwhile, Ninvalle travelled to Camp Seweyo on the Linden/Soesdyke highway yesterday morning to meet with encamped boxers. He also took the opportunity to hand over vitamins and supplements provided my Mike’s Pharmacy.