The gym was activated with a grand opening ceremony, organised by the Dartmouth Development Association and attended by mainly young people and community dignitaries.

USA-based boxing enthusiast Michael Carryl spearheaded the venture to return boxing to the Essequibo Coast, choosing the birthplace of his parents for the undertaking.

Carryl pointed out that in development, focus must be placed on the young people of the community.

“Investing in tomorrow, we need to look at our kids as assets. In the long run, the community would benefit,” Carryl said.

Carryl urged the members of the community not to become like the previous generation that failed the present generation to laid foundation for development.

“I want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem,” Carryl said.

Carryl pointed out that the venture would be a success if the community supported it. Said he: “It will work if you want it to work.”

The former boxer, who is now an official in New York amateur boxing, pointed out that boxing and sport in general could produce leaders. He said boxing is less dangerous than football and similar sport discipline.

“There are more deaths in car racing than in boxing,” Carryl declared.

Senior Social Worker in the Region 2 office of Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, Carl Brandon, stood in for Minister Gail Teixeira who was engaged in parliamentary affairs and could not attend.

The officer who has vast experience with youth issues said elders in the community must stop pointing fingers at the young people and support ventures that would satisfy their needs to become good citizens.

Brandon said the venture is “extremely significant” and congratulated Carryl for taking time off to ensure that young people in the community had something tangible to occupy their time.

The government official who pledged the ministry’s support said that the whole community and the private sector support the exercise because young people were the most important ingredients for development.

Brandon pointed out that the first attempt of establishing a gym in Dartmouth failed because there was no arrangement for continuity, but now the community seemed to be behind the effort.

Member of Parliament Heralall Mohan echoed that sentiment, saying the first venture flopped because the elders failed to get involved.

Chairman of the Evergreen/Paradise Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Cornel Damon, welcomed the gym, observing that the community centre was never used as it was supposed to be used.

Damon said towards this end, the NDC threw its weight behind the project. He referred to past boxers of national acclaim from Dartmouth, saying more such athletes could now be produced, even a world champion.

The local government man who is also a member of the Regional Democratic Council of Pomeroon-Supenaam administrative region with responsibility for culture, youth and sport, masterfully wrested a $10 000 donation towards the gym from the MP, pledging to have other officials make such contributions.

During the opening, four boxers from Georgetown, three from Harpy Eagles and one from the Forgotten Youth Foundation, gave exhibition bouts with Carryl officiating. After the formal programme several young men tried their hands, along with two young ladies who showed great enthusiasm.

Former Guyana Defence Force boxer Marlon Griffith is the coach. He said so far he has eight young men, who would now be training everyday from 15:00 hrs.

Equipment through the world famous Everlast include two punching bags, one speed ball, one side ball, seven pairs of gloves, four head guards, two protection boxes and eleven mouth guards.

Budget Truck and Car Rental, North American Airlines and Travel Span also had input in the setting-up of the gym.