Boxing symposium an insult says Potts

MAJOR stakeholders in local boxing want a greater role in the upcoming symposium on the sport organised by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.

And Minister Roger Boynes has been accused of insulting promoters, trainers and coaches who in the main have contributed significantly to the development of the sweet science over the years. Yesterday Buxo Potts, an international matchmaker, said he was disappointed in the way the symposium, scheduled for Saturday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, is being handled. Potts, a former jockey, said he has been told that invitations are being handed out by the Amateur Boxing Association which entitles each affiliated club to two representatives at the meeting.

Speakers at the symposium are also limited to three topics in their contribution according to Potts. “This is not good enough. It reeks of a ‘secretposium’ not symposium. The debate must be a public one open for all interested to voice their concerns, observations and make suggestions,” said Potts.He accused Boynes of trying to stifle debate on the issues facing the sport and of being  hoodwinked by a select band of advisers who  want to see the sport steered into a particular direction. “We will not allow the wool to be pulled over our eyes. Not wanting any conflict we welcome the debate but it must be transparent and done in the proper way,” Potts said.

He said Minister Boynes had failed to appreciate the efforts of promoters, managers and coaches who have expended their time, energy and finances to keep the sport afloat without any meaningful help from Government and the business community. “Yet when decisions are being made the major players are being left out. Government cannot now flex their muscles,” said Potts. He said he is not too worried about victimisation for his outspoken stance against the staging of the symposium without the input of the major stakeholders. “Boxing cannot be victimised any more than it has been for the past year.

We have people who have not done anything for boxing over the years taking a leading role in how the sport should move forward. It’s a scandal,” said Potts. He said the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs will most likely make a success of the symposium getting their special invitees to attend but it would be a colossal failure for the sport in the long run. “We can’t put much stock in short term measures. “We are here for the long haul,” said Potts. Yesterday the match-maker had organised a meeting of promoters, managers and coaches at the Revival Gym on St Paul Street, Port-of-Spain, to initiate discussion and plan his next move.