President Jagdeo presents boxing gear to Ricola Gym - August 14, 2003

Lieutenant Colonel Francis Abraham, Director of Protocol in the Office of the President last Wednesday handed over to Mr. Donald Allison, Head Coach of the Ricola Gym
Office of the President Photo by Latchman Singh.

Lieutenant Colonel Francis Abraham, Director of Protocol in the Office of the President last Wednesday handed over to Mr. Donald Allison, Head Coach of the Ricola Gym, a quantity of boxing gear which was promised to the gym by President Bharrat Jagdeo.
This pledge of assistance was made by the President during a meeting with Mr. Allison, initiated by His Excellency after learning of the excellent work Mr. Allison is doing among youths of Agricola, East Bank Demerara, as a result of his association with the Ricola Boxing Gym. Mr. Allison, a former local amateur champion and professional boxer, is credited with resuscitating this gym almost single-handedly, since his return to Guyana in January last. The gym offers its limited resources and the expertise of a small group of dedicated trainers to professional and amateur boxers. The gym also offers Callisthenics classes to members of the Agricola community and beyond. Mr. Allison, whose objective is to make the Ricola Boxing Gym the leading amateur gym in Guyana, expressed his gratitude to President Jagdeo for the timely donation and pledged to continue serving the village of his birth in whatever capacity he can. The gym will be represented by a 10-member team at the National Novices Championship being conducted by the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall starting tomorrow August 15 and continuing until August 17. The gym has benefited from the waiver of Consumption Tax and Duties payable on a consignment of boxing equipment, which was donated by supporters of Mr. Allison’s efforts who are residing in the United States.