The St Lucia Boxing Association is investing in the procurement of state-of-the-art equipment
David ‘Shakes’ Christopher
Kaieteur News – St. Boxing Association recently invested Lucia $ 60,000 ECD in purchase of state-of-the-art equipment for the refurbished boxing gym at Vigie Castries and wishes to express thanks to the sponsors: Ministry of Youth Development and Sport, St Lucia Olympic Committee and the St Lucia National Lottery.
St Lucia Boxing Association President David Christopher, senior Caribbean boxing officer, is leading a fact-finding search to get the best prices from international makers
Boxing gear, and deciding on a Chinese brand out of Beijing. David worked closely with swimming association president Eddie Hazel, who owns a haulage company, to arrange the best transportation prices and the $ 60,000ECD includes transportation and custom charges.
Over the past week the new state-of-the-art equipment was installed at the new facility and when the current pandemic conditions are reviewed, the necessary brackets and storage facilities will be put in place.
Before closing the gym on Friday 15th January, the reaction of male and female boxers turning to the gym was very encouraging according to the president of boxing St. Lucia
David Christopher and the association plan to issue a registration form to all boxers that will provide email information and boxer contact numbers and parent / guardian numbers. When this exercise is complete and all forms have been distributed and returned, Vice President Robert Joseph will go on to create a database so that each boxer will be issued with a photo ID card.
Despite the pandemic, a boxing association provided St. Lucia coached an online course for coaches and qualified two former boxers Dalton George and Miguel Auguste, while three young boxers were earmarked to attend the Pan American youth championship in
Colombia during September 2021 which will feature 18-year-old Caribbean schoolboy champion Gilchrist Medar.
St Lucia is also hoping to send two qualifying qualifiers to the Olympic box in Argentina in March with welterweight Dudley O’Shaughnessy and heavyweight Ryan Charles, both based in England, for the qualifying match deferred planned for 2020.
All necessary protocols have been put in place in the gym regarding hand sanitizers, temperature gun and regular cleaning. Only eight boxers are allowed in any one session with three sessions held daily.