Leadership of the Barbados Boxing Association has received high praise from Minister of Youth, Sports, Charles Griffith, following the successful staging of the Carlton Hope/Lionel Hall Memorial Tournament last weekend.
Griffith was in attendance at the two-day boxing card, held at the Graydon Sealy Secondary School, which featured competitors from Grenada, Martinique, and Canada. He said that having witnessed the performances of the Barbadian boxers, he strongly believed the sport is in good hands.
“I was impressed. It was my first boxing card and I was very impressed with the organisers. I think boxing is in good hands in terms of its leadership. One of the things I am hoping for is that we can get a lot more youngsters involved in boxing.
“It was indicated that a home was required for boxing so the youngsters can train and go even further in the sport. When you look at the card, the crowd came out to support and I think it is a matter of giving them more exposure,” Griffith told MIDWEEK SPORT.
The Minister revealed that efforts will be made to expand boxing within the schools, particularly after witnessing the participation of junior boxers from The St. Michael School, Graydon Sealy Secondary, and
Grantley Adams Memorial Secondary.
“The aim is getting boxing in the schools again and getting it moving at that level. If last night was an indication of where we can go, I think I am pleased with the progress of boxing so far,” he added.
Griffith, however, highlighted a significant challenge facing the sport – the shortage of coaches.
“We have some coaches on the island but it is not enough. So, we need to create a programme that would provide coaching and move it across the country to different schools and communities as well. We also have community centres that can be used. So, I think moving boxing to the communities would be a good idea”.
The Minister also commended the boxing association for being proactive in hosting more cards. He stressed, however, that further growth depended on building from the foundation.
“We need to grow boxing at the grassroots level, and the only way to do that is if we have it in the communities and the schools”. (ML)
