For the last sixteen years, the World Boxing Association (WBA), under the chairmanship of Dr Calvin Inalsingh, President of the Caribbean region of the WBA, has been hosting the WBA Knockout Drug Games T&T leg. Many schools, institutions and youth organisations come together for a day of sport and social interaction. This year's event took place last Saturday at the Five Rivers Junior Secondary School, Arouca for the 12th year running. To mark the occasion, the WBA donated a table tennis board and equipment to the school. Glenda Hosein received the gift on behalf of the school.
However, the highlight of the day's programme was the presence of the world famous head of the WBA Gilberto Mendoza, who took time off from his busy schedule to see first hand and to lend support to the local leg of the event. In discussions, Mendoza indicated that the WBA recognised that there was now such a proliferation of the use of drugs and firearms by young people that it was their responsibility to collaborate with governments and social groups throughout the world in order to eradicate these menaces that young people were exposed to daily. Also present were representatives of the Organised Crime and Narcotics Unit. Mendoza was high in praise to them for the efficiency which they displayed in educating participants through a display of addictive drugs and a lecture on the harmful effects of their use.
Others present and lending support were all-round sportsman and table tennis genius Aubrey Edwards, Cecil Walker, former director of sport, Abdul Haqq, deputy chairman of the T&T Boxing Board of Control, Shivana Inalsingh,former secretary of T&T Boxing Board of Control and referee Tommy Thomas. Mendoza also shared some quality time with the highly acclaimed and talented top boxer Sean Corbin.
Mendoza took time to mingle and shared his vast experience with many of the young people present and has promised to assist where ever possible in elevating our Caribbean boxers to compete for world titles and said he was looking forward to the day when he would be present at ringside to see a Trinbagonian win a WBA world title in Port-of-Spain.