Exciting times ahead for boxing

The Amateur Boxing Association of Barbados (ABAB) has outlined several plans and chief among them is a strategic plan for the next five years, says Honorary Secretary Kathy Harper-Hall. 

One of the longest-serving ABAB members, Harper-Hall said they will look to roll out this strategic plan very soon. She also revealed that the local executives are also looking to launch a community project called Gloves Over Guns.

“We are in the process of developing our strategic plan for the next five years and that should be rolled out soon. We are looking to launch a community project as soon as COVID allows us to do so.

“We are launching a community project which is called Gloves Over Guns and this is for a two-fold purpose. One, this is part of our attempt to help end violence in our society and the other objective is to recruit persons to broaden our base,” Harper- Hall told Barbados TODAY.

She added: “So, our association has been busy and I am sure there are a lot of things that associations can do (in the pandemic). While they were busy running competitions and were not paying attention to other things, I think they can use COVID time wisely which the Barbados Boxing Association has been doing.”

Kimberley Gittens is among the island’s top boxers who will he heading overseas for an intensive training stint.

Harper-Hall also noted that the ABAB has been busy during the pandemic ensuring that they strengthen the administrative side of the sport.

“We have been working very hard on our administrative aspects of the sport and I would imagine that most sports associations should try to do that now. During the lockdown period, we looked at reviewing and revising our constitution.

“We established our disciplinary code, we set up an athletes commission, we reorganised our coaches commission. And of course, we hold our monthly executive meeting albeit virtually. We are still paying attention to our athletes and ensuring that even though they cannot train in the gym that they are still working out.

“So, we work very closely with our coaches to ensure that the coaches are working with the athletes outdoors but ensuring all the protocols are followed. We have established our COVID monitoring committee in our association. This committee will go around to the gym to make sure they are all doing what they are supposed to do,” she said.

Harper-Hall who served in many capacities for the ABAB over the years is happy with the talent emerging. She explained that currently, the ABAB is priming its best boxers for the Olympic qualifiers which are scheduled to come off May in Argentina.

So far two national boxers Jabali Breedy and Charles Cox have departed for a training camp in Washington DC. Barbados’ premier female boxer Kimberly Gittens along with fellow Barbados Defence Force workmate Ajayi Jones are scheduled to join Breedy and Cox for the two months training stint shortly.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb