Braithwaite and Harris were at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to meet fellow athletes, but there was a disappointingly poor turnout.

Later at the National Park, they were presented with gifts by National Support Promotions, the organisers of the cultural show that was staged in their honour. They received gold chains with two pendants each - the Golden Arrowhead and a pair of boxing gloves.

In presenting the trophies to the world champions, CCWU General Secretary Grantley Culbard said: “These two young men have distinguished themselves on the international stage.”

Culbard disclosed it was a CCWU tradition to honour sportspersons who have distinguished themselves internationally.

Braithwaite’s mother, Claire Small, however, called for the recognition of the work of those persons who had laid the foundation for the boxers’ success, singling out trainer Gordon Williams.

“We should give special recognition to Gordon,” Small declared.

Small recalled the time when Gordon, as he is well known, went to her showing a pair of boots her son had to get for a fight.

“Gordon was very determined with Wayne. He has laid the foundation,” Small said.

The mother of the now world famous boxer said that she has another son who would also be world champion and she would put him in Gordon’s hands to start him off.

Small informed the unassuming trainer that she had a good package for him, put together by her husband, which should help him meaningfully for a while.

Father of Harris, Herman Harris, spoke about the need to promote the sport in all parts of the country, particularly the hinterland. He pointed out that the Guyana Defence Force produces very good boxers and suggested that some of them could be seconded to work in communities away from the coastlands.

“We can improvise for equipment,” Harris said, recalling at one time there was a local individual who made punching bags and even gloves.

Treasurer of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control, Andrew Thorne, declared that boxing was the only sport recognised worldwide and urged government to get into boxing.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar again called on the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association for a programme, saying he was not satisfied with the work of GABA.

Kumar pointed out that the government could not dictate to national associations because they were affiliated to autonomous international governing bodies.

The government official explained that cricket might seem to get more support but the other sport disciplines did not readily work along with the ministry.

“The cricket board has an excellent relationship with us,” Kumar declared.

Trainers Lennox Blackmore and Colin Morgan made remarks, along with Olympian Dillon Carew and former Caribbean champion, Siebert Blake.

Carew is venturing into promoting with his first card coming up on November 23 in Linden. Blake is now coaching at the Forgotten Youth Foundation.

But former National welterweight champion Michael Benjamin decried the attendance of sportspersons.