CHAIRMAN of the Caribbean Steering Committee for Boxing, Steve Ninvalle, resigned from the position with immediate effect on Monday.

The shocking declaration was made via a letter to Caribbean presidents and has left the regional boxing fraternity in a quagmire.

Ninvalle also resigned from a five-man committee appointed on Sunday to hold discussions with presidential candidates for AIBA elections. That also took immediate effect. In the letter seen by Chronicle Sport the widely respected administrator claimed personal reasons for his resignation.

”Dear Caribbean Presidents and colleagues, I hereby inform you that I have resigned from the post of Chairman of the Caribbean Steering Committee for Boxing with immediate effect. I also wish to inform that I have also resigned from the five-man committee appointed to hold discussions with AIBA Presidential Candidates.

This resignation also takes immediate effect. Both resignations are for personal reasons which will remain private at this time. In leaving the Steering Committee I find comfort knowing that I am temporarily handing over to the competent and respected hands of vice-chairman Cecil Forde of Trinidad and Tobago.

The other committee has a wealth of experience in Jose Rosario and company. I wish to thank the entire Caribbean for having the confidence in me during the one year and seven months life of the Steering Committee and for the support provided. I wish the two committees and members the best in future endeavours and assure that I can be called upon at any time, if support or advice is needed,” the letter stated.

Contacted yesterday, Ninvalle chose not to go into details regarding his resignation but rather expressed gratitude to the region for electing him to serve in such a high office.

 “It’s an honour to have been chosen to serve in such a capacity and I extend gratitude to all who would have given me support throughout my tenure. It’s not about me leaving but rather the Caribbean moving on from here. There is work to be done and the earlier the better.” Ninvalle said. 

The president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GCA) was elected unopposed to the Steering Committee in February last year. The body’s mandate was to chart and promote the development of boxing in the region. His tenure was expected to last for four years.

Ninvalle is widely regarded as the person who held the Caribbean together during tough times. In 2014 he was elected the region’s first Executive Committee Member of AIBA and three years later was elevated to the Executive Bureau. In February 2019 he was appointed chairman of the AIBA Youth Commission and one month later elected vice-president of the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC).

As news of the resignation spread several boxing administrators expressed surprise. Secretary of the Grenada Boxing Association, Neil Roberts, said the Caribbean has suffered a great loss. “I have seen the passion and love that he (Ninvalle) has for the sport and the development of the region. His leadership quality is second to none. It is a great loss,” Roberts stated.

Meanwhile, president of the St Lucia Boxing Association, David `Shakes’ Christopher, likened the resignation to a phantom punch.

“It’s a shock to us and a dreadful blow and hurting blow. It’s a phantom punch that no one saw coming. The work that Mr Ninvalle was doing and his leadership were second to none. But when they are people around who do not value the input of other people and feel that they can do a better job, then the best way is to give them a chance.

Mr Ninvalle’s passion for the Caribbean and its development is also second to none. I don’t think there is anyone around who can fill his shoes. However, if he goes left then I go left also. He will not go left and I go right. There is no doubt about that. He is still my leader and I will follow,” Christopher declared.

Meanwhile, Chronicle Sport was reliably informed that vice-chairman of the Steering Committee and president of the Trinidad Boxing Association Cecil Forde has also resigned from the body yesterday.