A NINE-member team representing Guyana departed local shores yesterday for St. Lucia to compete in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Boxing Championship.
The tournament is set to commence on Friday and conclude on Sunday.
The roster, which will be supervised by national coach Lennox Daniels, comprises Abiola Jackman, heavyweight (Elite); Alesha Jackman, middleweight (Elite); Shakquain James, lightweight (Junior); Angelina Rogers, bantamweight (Junior); Ryan Rogers, bantamweight (Schoolboys); and Junior Madray, 31–33 kg (Schoolboys).

Meanwhile, Lawrence Assanah and Germain Craig will accompany the team to serve as referees and judges, respectively.
Terrence Poole, Technical Director of the Guyana Boxing Association, said, “Preparation has been good; they have been training for a period of time. I would say the preparation has been 95 per cent. They were training twice a day at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis gym.”
Probed on the importance of the event given that the Caribbean Schoolboys Championships are slated for August, Poole declared, “This tournament is part of the preparation for the Caribbean Schoolboys Tournament, and it will allow us to see the level of some of our fighters and where they are and where they need to be for that event. It’s very important because it provides international exposure. My expectation is that everyone should do well at the event.”
Meanwhile, GBA President Steve Ninvalle informed that while the tournament is another step towards exposing local talent it is also being used to support St. Lucia’s president David ‘Shakes’ Christopher.
“Guyana is not part of the OECS but I see it as my duty to support Mr. Christopher who has always returned the favour when Guyana host international events. In addition, our objective for tournaments of this nature is the exposure of emerging talents in a competitive international environment,” Ninvalle said.
He further added, “Moreover, the exposure of females to the rigours of international competition is a major emphasis and priority for the association. We believe that the women’s arm, given the documented challenges that are faced with their initial participation and sustained continuance, requires and is aided by this approach in providing international exposure.”
The OECS Championship is slated to feature participation from several nations, several of whom will feature in the prestigious Caribbean Schoolboys and Junior Championships in Guyana.