Melville throws hat back in boxing ring

WELL-KNOWN sportscaster and events co-ordinator Selwyn Melville is tipped to be elected the new president of the Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Boxing Association.

Elections for the top positions in the beleagured organisation is scheduled for today from 3 pm at the Cosmic Boxing Gym at Marabella. Melville, a former member of the Boxing Board of Control, has been urged to get back into the game by representatives of several boxing clubs in Trinidad and in Tobago. He comes up against Mike Jarvis, a retired Customs and Excise Officer. Yesterday Melville said he is standing on a platform of honesty and integrity and is committed to the immediate development of the sport using all the resources available to him. On his slate are two highly respected coaches, Innocent Roberts and Rufus Edwards.

Melville said he was aware that he has been much maligned by the officials of the present administration who have described him as a devisive figure in local boxing but remains undeterred.
“It is much better to do the right thing and be criticised than to do the wrong thing and be praised,” he said yesterday. Melville said he was confident that at today’s election of officers good sense will prevail among the representatives of the 19 clubs affiliated to the Amateur Association who are eligible to send two representatives each. “A vote for us will see immediate benefits for the sport and its boxers. We are seeking to take amateur boxing to a new level and work above board,” he said.

Melville said a new Amateur Association executive under his leadership will move quickly to work closely with the Boxing Board of Control under Melchoir Taylor; the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs; and corporate Trinidad and Tobago. He also wants to put into action a plan for clubs to stage regular cards to develop their boxers and raise funds to finance their individual programmes. “We, as officers of the Amateur Association will also become more accountable for our actions and will endeavour to have all our plans and actions properly publicised. Nothing will be done in secret,” said Melville. He said his major concern today will be the conduct of the elections itself and fears attempts will be made to manipulate the balloting. “All we are asking for is free and fair elections. If the present administration wants to remain in office they must do so fair and square. No underhand methods,” said Melville.

Melville last year incurred the wrath of the Amateur Association officials Cecil Forde, vice-president; Mario Robinson, secretary; and Fitzroy Richards, treasurer, when he repeatedly called for their disbanding and an interim body appointed to conduct the affairs of the organisation. He alleged that the Amateur Association were acting outside of their constitution and warned of the dangers of some of their officials being involved in promoting professional boxing cards. Melville has also rallied against underage female pugilists being allowed to fight despite the fact that the Boxing Board of Control Act requires a fighter to be 18 years of age before being granted a licence to fight as a professional. “Boxing is a dangerous sport and it will take only one tragedy to put the whole sport in disrepute and cause sorrow and grief. We must do all in our power to prevent this,” said Melville. He has also raised serious concerns about boxers not being properly paid for their services and of being exploited by unscruplous managers and trainers who are quite willing to put their charges into the ring at short notice while underprepared.