PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday officially started the dismantling of the old Young Achievers Gym, to make way for construction of the modern Andrew Sixhead Lewis training facility in Albouystown.

When the facility is completed in six months time, the promise made by the president on the historic night of February 17 will materialise fully.

President Jagdeo was in Albouystown and watched Lewis knockout James Page in round seven to give Guyana the country’s first world title. The head of state immediately made the commitment.

Just before ripping off the first boards from the old gym, President Jagdeo thanked George Oprecht, who launched Lewis’ boxing career, for giving the country recognition.

What Lewis has done for Guyana, many people in politics, or in economics and many other areas would never do for this country - he has given us name recognition abroad,” President Jagdeo declared.

The president said it is thus fitting to give more recognition to sports men and women and pledged the government’s continued support to sport.

We think it has a very important role to play, not only has it the potential of taking a lot of people out of poverty and bringing hope to many young people, but it has the possibility of moulding citizens,” President Jagdeo said.

Oprecht thanked the government and Mayor Hamilton Green, who, the longstanding coach and trainer recalled, built the old gym when the latter was prime minister.

Former National welterweight champion, Michael Benjamin, said the initiative has a lot of meaning.

It shows that boxing can unite the nation. Boxers can do things that can cause the politicians to regard sports as a very integral part of national building,” Benjamin said.

The boxer-turned-journalist said the new training facility will further emphasise the need for young people to get involved in sport.

President of the Guyana Olympic Association and the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association, K. Juman-Yassin said that the government should go further.

We need more facilities. This is a good start. But I really am hoping that the government would dedicate and put aside land so that we could take on a bigger project - a multi-purpose stadium," Juman-Yassin reiterated.

Caribbean sports commentator and former sports administrator, Joseph Red’ Perreira said the gym will enhance Albouystown as a community, thus it is vital that the community sees the building as something they must be proud of.

And the community must ensure the building is not vandalised, that this building is protected and the community has a role to play in keeping the building in good shape and taking pride in the building,” Perreira said.

National Lightweight champion Richard Howard declared: “It will be good for me and for the children. It will bring out more Sixhead Lewis. It will help change their lifestyle, from running up and down following wickedness. But only one thing - we have to wait and see that the gym actually finishes.”

Adviser to the president, Odinga Lumumba, disclosed that the two storeyed facility will cost $16 243 185 and would house 20 athletes in training, with access to a laundry room and kitchen.

The facility will have an executive room and a modern boxing ring, along with seating accommodation for 100 spectators to mini tournaments. There will also be outdoor training areas for skipping and weightlifting, among other activities.

Contractor Alex Mahaica told Chronicle Sport that the construction would be completed in six months and he would uplift the building plans shortly.