Don’t blame Boynes says Potts

INTERNATIONAL boxing match-maker Buxo Potts has launched a vehement defence of Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes. Potts said that Boynes has been subjected to “unwarranted and unfair” criticism highlighted by a newspaper article yesterday which pointedly accused him of making empty and unfulfilled promises to the nation’s sportsmen. However yesterday Potts refuted claims made in the column which suggested that talented female boxer Giselle Salandy has been one of the victims of a Boynes’ welcoming speech at Piarco’s Millennium Airport. “You can’t ask Giselle about that. I don’t know about the others but I can say with some certainty that tangible offers were made to Salandy by Government but these were not taken up by her handlers,” said an incensed Potts yesterday. “She was to be given a stipend of $10,000 a month, a scholarship to study whatever subject she wanted and was to be afforded the opportunity to fight exhibition matches until she reaches 17 years of age and get a professional boxer’s licence, “ said Potts.

He said these overtures by Government were spurned by Salandy’s handlers who opted instead to seek out other opportunities to fight which they believed would bring in lucrative purses since she had just won the Ibero-Latin American welterweight championship in Curacao. Potts said that Government officials all over the world “over-promise and under-deliver” so this is not unique to Trinidad and Tobago. However the former jockey put the blame solely in the laps of the people who surround the returning national sports heroes for not following up on the promises made by public officials who share the spotlight. “We need people to actively seek the interest of their charges. My father always said the finest mettle attracts rust. Well we have a lot of rusty people not working in the best interest of the athletes,” said Potts. He was high in praise of Anil Roberts, former consultant to the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs and a top swim coach who recently charted George Bovell III’s four-medal haul at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo. “We need people like Anil in all disciplines.

He has the drive and gets quick action by agressively following up on what has been promised to the swimmers,” said Potts. He said too often officials are content to rest on their laurels and expect Government to do everything for them after their athletes perform with distinction overseas. “We have a lot of square pegs in round roles in the local disciplines. They are bankrupt of ideas and don’t know which way is up. That is the problem, not the promises of Roger Boynes,” said Potts. He said Salandy is a perfect example of what can go wrong very quickly when a promising athlete is crowded in by inept management. Potts said the Siparia schoolgirl stands to be stripped of her regional title by the World International Boxing Association (WIBA) if she doesn’t fight by September. He said he hopes to put on a world title fight card by that date in Curacao with Fitzroy Richards, Salandy’s former trainer/manager and believes Salandy should defend her crown then. He said he has always been supportive of Salandy and stands ready to assist her. “However her handlers must come to the table and we must talk and negotiate to get her back in the ring,” said Potts. He commended the efforts of Curtis Joseph, Salandy’s adopted father who he said has kept her on track  academically while ensuring she keeps fit and ready to enter the ring on a moment’s notice.