– Ninvalle optimistic that team would return fully equipped for Olympic Qualifiers

GUYANA’s four Olympic (boxing) hopefuls started the first leg of their journey to Tokyo 2020 yesterday in Cuba, in what is expected to be a demanding, but rewarding three-month training stint in the superior boxing nation.

Cuba, which has won the second most boxing medals (73 medals, 37 gold) in the history of the Olympics, will get the Guyanese ring prepared for the March 26 to April 3 Olympic Qualifiers scheduled for Argentina with the hope that they will qualify for the Olympics in Japan from July 24 to August 9 this year.

According to president of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, the four boxers: Keevin Allicock (a two-time current Caribbean champion), Desmond Amsterdam and Colin Lewis (former Caribbean champions) and Dennis Thomas (a Caribbean two-time silver medallist) reached the Spanish-speaking Caribbean island safely and were eager to put their best foot forward.

The GBA head added that he is optimistic that the quartet would enhance their skills.

“I think that the opportunities presented to them are excellent opportunities and they should grasp it with both hands. All that is needed is their commitment and discipline, I think they all have that; they just have to dig deep. There is no reason why all four of them should not qualify.”

The GBA last qualified for the Olympics in 1996 via a then 25-year-old light heavyweight boxer, John Douglas. This year, the association is confident that the four boxers selected will all make it to the highest amateur level.

Ninvalle added that he is elated with the training stint, but it would not have been possible without support. He thanked the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the National Sports Commission for their assistances.

The GOA contributed US$15000 (over $3.1M Guyanese dollars), while the NSC, through its Director of Sport Christopher Jones, handed over a cheque of G$1M with the intention of adding an additional $1.5M later this month or next month.

Meanwhile, the GOA recently announced that it would add $1M, which should send two boxers to Argentina.

At the moment, national coach Terrence Poole (MS) is with the boxers. After one month, another national coach, Sebert Blake, will replace him.   Ninvalle said that along with the boxers, he is also hoping that the coaches experience the advanced level of training and would be able to enhance their overall delivery once back home.

Poole is the coach of the dominant Guyana Defence Force, while Blake is the head instructor of the outstanding Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) gym.

All four boxers will return home on March 22, before they exit soon after for Buenos Aires, Argentina.