Miss Guyana Universe Odessa Phillips (fourth left) holds the ribbon while Guyana's first world boxing champion Andrew `Six Head' Lewis (third right) cuts it to officially open the Andrew Lewis Boxing Gym, situated at Callender Street and Independence Boul
The Andrew `Six Head' Lewis Boxing Gym was finally declared open yesterday and President Bharrat Jagdeo pledged his government's continued support for the facility.
After a somewhat lengthy opening ceremony that started more than 45 minutes late and amidst vocal protesting by a group believed to be supporters of the opposition, the gym was declared open.
Prior to the official opening, President Bharrat Jagdeo who is also patron of the gym, said "I'm pleased to be here and finally we have the structure completed."
Speaking amidst loud protest from a section of the crowd that gathered, the president said he recalled how it was in February 2001 when Lewis knocked out James Page to become the first ever Guyanese world boxing champion.
"I had urged President Hoyte to take a day off from campaigning and let's view the fight and I know that night we (Guyanese) all rooted for Lewis and he made us proud. Andrew, I want to let you know that you were our first world champion and you will always be our first world champion." Jagdeo stated, adding, "You (Lewis) had a national holiday but the others that followed only got money to build their houses."
President Jagdeo noted that success does not come easily and stated that Lewis' dedication, hard work and achievement is an example that the Guyanese people need. "Our country is too small for the many controversies and divisions and in spite of the negatives I will keep my government focused," Jagdeo declared.
Georgetown's Mayor Hamilton Green, who chaired the proceedings, in his opening address said it is indeed a moment of relief that the gym has finally become a reality and reminisced on the days when Lewis started his boxing career under coach George `Canchie' Oprecht who he (Green) took time off to recognise.
Green, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the gym, warned that the building is not only for boxing, but for academic studies. "When Odinga (Lumumba) and I discussed the matter, we agreed that the building must go beyond physical exercise and importance must be paid to producing rounded personalities."
This was endorsed by President Jagdeo who also said that to be a rounded person one has to have other things such as academic qualifications.
Green said when Lewis started his career under Oprecht, they were operating in a small enclosure "but it did not prevent `Canchie' from doing a good job and producing a world champion" Green noted, adding "I saw him (Oprecht) and told him the area was not suitable and so we acquired a plot of land and moved here (Callender Street) and the president subsequently made a commitment to build a gym here and it has been fulfilled."
Green also noted that Lewis came from a family of boxers on both sides and said when he moved into the professional ranks he did equally well as he did in the amateur ranks.
Lewis, in thanking President Jagdeo for the realisation of the gym said, "I really appreciate what you (Jagdeo) have done for Guyana."
Oprecht for his part told Stabroek Sport "It's from the roots. We just keep moving on. We started from an old junkyard, step by step and we produced world champions. Our name is Achievers so we just keep achieving."
Mayor Green said the Board of Directors plans on acquiring trained teachers to give academic training to members of the community at the gym.
Among those present were Minister of Tourism Manzoor Nadir, a former resident of the Albouystown community; Colonel Eddie Collins, Commissioner of Police Winston Felix; Architect Maxi Pereira; Miss Guyana Universe, Odessa Phillips; former Mayor of Georgetown Compton Younge; another former resident of the community.
The vote of thanks was done by Michael Benjamin while Miss Guyana Universe, Oddessa Phillips and Lewis cut the ribbons to declare the gym open.