– first Caribbean administrator to be appointed

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle was recently named as one of five representatives on the International Boxing Association (AIBA) Executive Committee Bureau by sport’s global body president, Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu.

“As you are aware, the institutional and operational activities of AIBA have been jeopardized by the recent, contested, decisions by the Executive Committee to form the stillborn Interim Management Committee (IMC), and decisions of the latter to claim for itself all duties and powers vested in the AIBA President and Executive Director by the AIBA Statutes” Wu said to Ninvalle in his letter announcing the Guyanese’s appointment.

Wu further highlighted that “these decisions were taken in complete contradiction with the AIBA Statutes that the Swiss Court rejected on September 22nd 2017. As per the provisions of article 40.3 of AIBA Statutes, the EC Bureau shall function in place of the Executive Committee for all matters requiring settlement between two meetings of the Executive Committee.”

The Executive Committee Bureau consists of five members, namely the President, two Vice Presidents (with voting rights) appointed by the President, and two Voting Executive Committee Members appointed by the President.

“I am humbled, honoured and surprised at the appointment” Ninvalle told Chronicle Sport when contacted, adding “I am surprised that out of 202 countries affiliated to AIBA, Guyana could have been chosen for such an important organ.“ I am honoured that AIBA has the confidence in my ability to administrate at such a high level. It is my humble belief that the Caribbean is going through a renaissance in the sport of boxing. This appointment is just a small part of the larger picture. It’s an achievement for Guyana and the Caribbean.”

Ninvalle’s appointment was celebrated by his colleges around the Caribbean, given the fact that he’s the person from the region to hold the important portfolio at AIBA.  Stephen Jones, Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA) president, said “although there are 202 member federations worldwide, the boxing community is a small one and a ripple in any pond can go a long way, so it’s extremely encouraging to see that the waves that we have been making in our region have not gone unnoticed by the top brass of the sports’ governing body, AIBA.”

“Make no bones about it, an elevation of any kind for one of us in the region is an elevation for all and I for one am over the moon, not only because we have a trusted member in one of the highest seats, but we have the right member. Steve understands not just the needs for our region but the needs for the sport on a whole and this augers well for everybody” Jones noted.

Cecil Forde, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Association said, “The Association pledges our full support to Mr. Ninvalle, who in his short period in the sport of Boxing has shown great leadership qualities and has represented the Caribbean well through hard work and determination. We look forward to working alongside Mr. Ninvalle as we foresee the successful futuregrowth of boxing within the Caribbean and wishes Mr. Ninvalle all the best in his future goals and endeavours.”

Former head of the Caribbean Amateur Boxing Association and Grenada Boxing Association, Ralph James, said, “Ninvalle has shown sound judgement throughout his presidency and in particular over the last two and a half years since his election to the executive committee of the  the International Boxing Association -AIBA. He is indeed an intelligent man and with resources at his disposal, boxing can reach new heights.”

According to Fraser “What’s most interesting is that 2018 has been declared the year of The Caribbean by the AIBA, and a Caribbean man will be steering the ship. This is also a very courageous and progressive move by President of AIBA Dr C. K. Wu who must be congratulated as well; he’s a man of vision. Well done Steve, we are extremely proud of this tremendous achievement.”

Meanwhile, AIBA’s president said that he trust that Ninvalle’s dedication to AIBA and the sport of boxing in general, as well as his personal and professional qualities, will be a great asset to this important AIBA organ.