Several Islands headed to Guyana for School Boys Championships

Trinidad during their 2023camaign at the championships in Guyana

The countdown to the 2026 Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing Championships has gathered momentum, with the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) confirming that several regional nations have already signalled their intention to compete in the prestigious tournament later this month.

According to the GBA, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Curaçao, The Bahamas, and Suriname have all indicated their plans to send teams for the championship, which will be staged from August 20-22 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The tournament, conceptualised and first hosted in Guyana in 2016, is named in honour of Guyana’s 1978 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Winfield Braithwaite, whose historic achievement remains one of the country’s greatest sporting accomplishments.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle welcomed the positive response from the region, noting that the championship has become an integral part of amateur boxing’s development across the Caribbean.

“The response from the participating countries once again demonstrates the importance of this championship to amateur boxing in the Caribbean,” Ninvalle said.

He added, “Over the years, it has provided our young boxers with invaluable international exposure and has become one of the region’s premier developmental competitions.”

Ninvalle pointed out, that the association is finalising preparations to ensure another successful staging of the event and is optimistic that additional countries will confirm their participation before the opening bell.

Ninvalle also disclosed that further details regarding the championship, including participating teams, competition schedule, and other organisational matters, will be announced during a press conference scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) at the Tower Hotel on Main Street.

Since its inception, the Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing Championships has established itself as one of the premier youth boxing competitions in the region and remains a cornerstone of Guyana’s annual boxing calendar.

Beyond regional bragging rights, the championship has earned a reputation as a launching pad for future international stars.

Numerous young boxers who first showcased their talents in the tournament have since progressed to represent their respective countries at the Olympic Games and the World Championships, reinforcing the event’s significance within the international amateur boxing pathway.

With regional interest already strong and more delegations expected to confirm in the coming days, organisers are anticipating another highly competitive edition of the Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing Championships, further cementing Guyana’s reputation as a leading host of amateur boxing in the Caribbean.