Boxing gyms get $.5m government equipment

Gyms are to receive equipment to conduct the development programme which has been the brainchild of Cecil Forde, president of the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) and his association.

Soon after the distribution of the equipment the gym became functional under coach Dimitri Shroude and manager Sharma Shroude.

According to Forde yesterday each gym will receive two punching bags, four pairs of training gloves, four head guards, four protectors, four bag gloves, four breast protectors for the women, a dozen skipping ropes, one dozen hand wraps, a dozen gum-shields, two pairs of hand pads, two centre balls and as many overhead balls.

The purpose of the gyms is to discover talented boxers in communities across Trinidad and Tobago.

Forde pointed out that each gym will also be equipped with a coach and a manager to conduct their affairs.

He added further that in addition to the 17 new gyms which will receive equipment, five existing gyms will also be given equipment to carry on development work.

Tomorrow at 5 pm, there will also be a launch at the Belmont Community Centre at which six other gyms from the Port-of-Spain area will be given equipment.

They are Petit Valley, Belmont, Diego Martin, San Juan/Laventille and two well-known gyms in Port of Spain —Revival and Tigers Boxing Gym. Forde made it clear that work will begin at the gyms soon after they receive their equipment from government.

Forde claimed that the equipment had been at a store-house for the past months since they were purchased by government.

Forde noted further that equipment will be distributed to several centres in East Trinidad next week, following which they will make the trip to the Southland where six to seven gyms are awaiting gear. Two other gyms in the sister-isle Tobago will also receive equipment.

Forde said they are at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, and another at the Roxborough Sporting Complex.

At these community programmes, interested boxers are invited to attend sessions to be held daily.