RESIDENTS of Moruca in the North West District witnessed several exhibition match-ups as the sport of boxing is being introduced to hinterland areas.

The event formed part of the annual Moruca Expo, which took place from August 24 to 25 and the sport brought excitement among residents who came out in their numbers at the Santa Rosa community centre ground.

Coordinator of the programme, Orland ‘Pocket Pocket’ Rogers told Chronicle Sport that the sport was introduced there and a gym was established.

The Moruca Power Right gym was established five months ago, the hinterland coach said, and it is the second in the area. He said he visited during the initial stages and the launching of the programme.

Other gyms, including Wakapau Warriors, Baritca Blazers and Hands in Gloves gym at Mahdia were opened across the country.

Rogers said a hinterland competition will take place later this year where all the gyms will match gloves. “Our main problem is gear, sourcing gear,” he said.

“The main aim is seeking novices, and they would move on to represent the region when the Guyana Boxing Association has its tournaments,” he said.

The pocket rocket coach noted that there are several Under-16 championships as well as Caribbean boxing tournaments which locals can forge their way to, providing they are victorious in the various tournaments.

Rogers said Moruca has a lot of potential in the sport as he noted the efforts of young gold medallist Ravin Rodrigues, who also copped a schoolboy Best Boxer award in Georgetown in an Under-16 championship.

Assistant coach Joslin Abraham, who hails from Moruca, runs the gym in Rogers’ absence.

He said the sport is new to the area but it is also bringing a lot of excitement to the community, adding, “It is exciting, if you look at the turnout you can tell by that,” he said of the crowd who converged on the stage area where a gym was set up.

Another region was expected to take part in the exhibition match-ups but Rogers noted that several hiccups altered the plans.

Nevertheless, the programme will go ahead with the aim of taking the best talent in the sport to represent Guyana in future, he said.