THE Ecuador Boxing Federation (EBF) will send a team to participate in the fifth annual Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors tournament scheduled for August 13 to 16 this year in Guyana. EBF president Alex Gonzalez made the promise on Christmas Day during a telephone call with Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) president Steve Ninvalle.
The two South American presidents were discussing ways to further develop the sport in the continent and the Caribbean.
Ninvalle informed Chronicle Sport that Ecuador’s pledge has made it five countries that have so far committed to participating. Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, St Maarten and Grenada have also signalled intention of sending teams to the invitational event.
“Presidents Cecil Forde (Trinidad and Tobago), David Christopher (St Lucia), Johnson St Louis (Grenada) and Shawn Blair (St Maarten) have indicated that they are on board. I have also discussed participation with Remy Burke, president of the Suriname association and he has given a favourable response,” Ninvalle said.
The GBA boss noted that Barbados has been a feature at all of the tournaments held here.
The tournament is the only one of its kind in the Caribbean and was created by Ninvalle back in 2016. The GBA boss confirmed that Chairman of the AIBA Referee/Judges Commission America, Ray Silvas, will run a seminar here for officials leading up to the tournament.
In addition, Ninvalle and his Ecuadorian counterpart were also able to finalise discussion on preparation for the Olympic Qualifiers.
Ecuador will host a one-month training camp leading up to the Qualifiers. “Mr Gonzalez has disclosed that Cuba, Puerto Rico and Guatemala will be sending their national teams to the training camp. He has extended an invitation to Guyana and will forward all necessary information via an official letter shortly).
According to Ninvalle, Trinidad and Tobago is also interested in going to the camp. Last month Gonzalez had pledged his support to GBA in relation to upcoming international competitions being planned by the latter.
Ninvalle had reasoned then that 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.
Ecuador, 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.
Guyana had four boxers training in Cuba for three months leading up to the Olympic Qualifiers.
