THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has secured a vital lifeline for its amateur boxers after receiving provisional recognition from World Boxing, the International Olympic Committee (IOC)-recognised body for the sport.

The formal endorsement, communicated in a letter dated December 11, means the GBA and its athletes are now immediately eligible to compete in all World Boxing-sanctioned events, including the World Challenge, World Cup, and World Championships.

Crucially, this recognition is seen as a major breakthrough for Guyanese boxers with Olympic aspirations, as World Boxing is currently the only federation acknowledged by the IOC to manage the qualification pathways to the Olympic Games.

While welcoming the news, GBA President Steve Ninvalle expressed significant frustration over the protracted process, noting that Guyana’s application was first submitted in February, a ten-month waiting period.

“We welcome the approval, but I am peeved at how long this process took,” Ninvalle stated. “We only received confirmation one day before the International Boxing Association (IBA) Congress in Dubai.”

Ninvalle suggested that the lengthy delay had hampered their ability to plan and compete with certainty, forcing him to inform the Guyana Olympic Association of the issue.

Despite the procedural setback, the President reaffirmed the GBA’s unwavering commitment to fair governance.

“Guyana, through the GBA, has always been compliant in the world of amateur boxing. We remain fully committed to following the rules and directives of the IOC, and ensuring that our boxers are given a fair and unhindered opportunity to compete at the highest level,” he added.

The provisional recognition grants the GBA full participation rights in World Boxing events, as the federation moves through the final stages of its membership process.

The application for full GBA membership will now be presented and considered at the World Boxing Congress scheduled for 2026, marking the final hurdle in securing their long-term position within the federation.