Daily COVID-19 tests will be carried out on all participants in the tournament, such as fighters, judges, volunteers, and there will be separation with the public.
“Expectations were exceeded”, that was the first concept of Jose Laureano Sepúlveda, president of the American Boxing Confederation (American Boxing Confederation – ABC), on its first tour of the coliseum and the hotels that will be used in the next Continental Boxing Championship, to be held in March next year, in Guayaquil.
Laureano, a Puerto Rican-American, on the designation of Ecuador for this tournament, indicates: “Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Ecuador and Brazil had requested the venue. As it could not be done due to the health emergency, the call was made again. Ecuador and Brazil presented the candidacy again, and the vote was unanimous for Ecuador, because it has held international events for many years and, despite COVID, it has taken courses for coaches, officers, administration, it has remained active, and that management has been decisive in favor of the Ecuadorian Boxing Federation (FEB)”.
“Here you will work with everyone. The Ecuadorian Olympic Committee (COE) and the Ministry of Sports are welcome. We want us to unite as one, because at the end of the day the benefit is for Ecuador. We are going to work with both institutions, with the Guayas Sports Federation, Mayor’s Office, Government, Prefecture and everyone who wants to be part of this event that is going to be the beginning of the boxing competition in America ”, said the international manager.
Regarding the expectations they had for the venue of the continental tournament, Laureano points out that it was much better than expected: “The presentation made by the FEB for his candidacy was magnificent, with a well-made platform on the places of Guayaquil, but when visiting Guayaquil personally we are extremely happy and expectations were exceeded ”.
“The Guayas authorities have been attentive and we have met to make this event a success. Health authorities are key at this time of COVID-19. We are attentive to the evolution of the pandemic and the necessary time measures have been taken for this tournament to take place ”.
He anticipated that during the contest create a bubble and conduct daily COVID-19 tests to all participants, such as boxers, judges and volunteers, and there will be separation with the attending public.
Alex Gonzalez, president of the FEB, had anticipated that the international boxing authorities after his visit will carry out some recommendations, and Laureano indicates: “The recommendations will be gradual, related to hotels, the Organizing Committee, and commissions. For the moment, our observations have been positive and we are going to make a time table in which we are going to analyze. If there is something to improve, we will say it with respect, and for the benefit of our athletes we will say what changes should be made ”.
The IBA is not recognized by the International Olympic Committee (COI), and Laureano notes that they have been asked to comply with three key recommendations. “They have asked us to have our own constitution; if you are working with governance and transparency is being demonstrated, which is another requirement. Already there is no debt with the International Federation (Boxing) and I think we are on the right track. We are complying with the recommendations made by the IOC in order to be recognized again ”. (D)
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