THE Ecuador Boxing Association (EBA) has pledged its support for Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) in relation to upcoming international competitions being planned by the latter. This was disclosed to Chronicle Sport by GBA president Steve Ninvalle, who informed that he held wide ranging discussions with EBA president Alex GonzalezA last Tuesday evening.

According to Ninvalle, Guyana and the Caribbean will need to up the level of competition at hosted tournaments in order to make an impact in the world. He pointed to the last Caribbean Championship held in Trinidad and Tobago where the host country went in that direction by inviting Cuba.

“My belief is that we will remain stagnant if we continue as is and don’t open the door to Latin and South America. Trinidad and Tobago made the bold step (of inviting Cuba) last year. Once our international tournaments recommence Guyana will be inviting Ecuador, who along with Brazil and Argentina are South American powerhouses,” Ninvalle said.
“Though our invitation is informal at this time Mr Gonzalez has pledged his full support to that and other things. We have promised to update each other every fortnight. Guyana and Ecuador have visa-free travel between the two South American countries.

Ninvalle said that Gonzalez has also promised to make available training facilities in Ecuador, should the Guyana national team need to be encamped for a prolonged period.
Last year the Cuban national team travelled to Ecuador while preparing for the Olympic Qualifiers. Guyana had four boxers training in Cuba for three months leading up to the Olympic Qualifiers.

Guyana are scheduled to recommence activity in the boxing fraternity following a lapse because of COVID-19. The GBA on Monday dispatched a letter to the Ministry of Health seeking permission to restart its activities.

The GBA head said the association is hoping that the letter will be favourably considered so that “we can move into the first phase of getting Guyana back to being the number one territory in the Caribbean”.