Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Association gets set for 2028 Olympic qualification cycle

DESPITE Trinidad and Tobago’s absence from boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the local association has assured that “everything is in place” for the next Olympic qualification cycle.

A statement issued by newly-appointed TT Boxing Association (TTBA) PRO Nigel Paul, a two-time national Olympic boxer who was also unable to qualify this year, said they “have done their analysis/post mortems” on 2024’s unsuccessful campaign and will place much emphasis on youth development.

“Our school boys/girls and juniors are currently in the final preparation for the OECS tournament held in St Lucia from July 25-28, and the Caribbean Championships in Guyana from August 16-18. These are our nursery teams, 11-16 years – who are our future.”

Paul added that boxers 17-18 years now back from a three-week live-in camp in Puerto Rico. There, they also participated in the Toreno International – placing second with teams from Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Canada.

“Our youths are now in full preparation for IBA’s World Youth Championship to be held in Serbia in October. The Women’s IBA’s World Championship is scheduled for November where our two elite females; Tiana Guy and Angel George, are also in preparation,” the statement read.

With the resumption of local contests, monthly events have begun and will continue until the end of the year.

The TTBA’s next event will be on July 6 at the San Juan Hill basketball court in San Juan.

These events will be community-based “As we are all aware boxing is grassroots especially in those communities being labeled as ‘hot spots’. Boxing will play an integral role with the youths.”

Meanwhile, the reintroduction of the association’s Olympic Style Non-Contact School Boxing Programme, endorsed by the Ministry of Education, completes its pilot year in mid-July.

Altogether, 142 students participated, with assessments currently being conducted, and certificates of participation being awarded to all students.

The ‘I Choose Sports’ Ministry of Sports and Community Development programme was hailed as a “great success/experience” for the TTBA as they are “preparing to expand the school program by approximately 25 schools.”

With the TTBA’s ongoing national certification coaching courses, they can accommodate each new school.

Additionally, the national training centre at Hasley Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo has been refitted by SporTT and sponsorship is now being sought, to have it refurbished.

The TTBA is also currently engaging the business and corporate sectors to assist with funding. A decision was taken by their new executive team, to name the centre ‘The Leslie Stewart National Training Centre’. Stewart was TT’s second professional World champion after Claude Noel.

Current Super heavyweight champion Paul will be spearheading and coordinating the school initiative.