GBA looks all set for return to the Olympics

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

Pugilists from Guyana will now be eligible to compete at the Olympic Games after the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) secured provisional recognition from World Boxing.

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, as the federation moves through the final stages of its membership process.

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

While GBA President Steve Ninvalle welcomed the news, he said the process had been frustrating, noting that Guyana’s application was first submitted in February, 10 months ago.

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

He revealed that the lengthy delay had hampered the GBA’s ability to plan and compete with certainty, forcing him to inform the Guyana Olympic Association of the issue.

“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,” Ninvalle added.

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.