The T&T Boxing Board of Control (T&TBBC), in collaboration with the T&T Amateur Boxing Association (T&TABA) and the Ministry of Sport has launched a new initiative intended to re-image the sport in T&T. The programme, which is titled New faces of Boxing Advertising Campaign was initiated at Alicia's Palace, Lady Chancellor Hill, yesterday. The event was hosted by Chairman of the T&TBBC, Annabelle Davis, and its board of directors, and present were the Honourable Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Clifton De Couteau, and several other specially invited guests. The New Faces of Boxing Advertising Campaign, and after-school programme were introduced to assist in the promotion of a "positive image of athletes in the sport of boxing, whereby re-imaging the sport" according to Davis.
"The T&TBBC has embarked on an initiative of identifying and producing boxing talent whilst treating with anti-social behaviour displayed by the youths in certain suppressed and often neglected communities throughout T&T," said Davis. Davis added that the association is geared not only to produce champions in boxing, but to make the sport easily accessible, by implementing all-round development programmes at the community/ school levels up to the national and elite programme level. A five-year plan for the development of boxing, geared at seeking sponsorship in aid of self-sustenance for the sport, was also discussed at the launch. The T&TBBC has also launched their new Web site, "boxingboardtt.com" which includes a catalogue of merchandice and an archive of past local bouts. As announced, the T&TBBC will host an exhibition of its elite athletes, who will represent T&T at the Olympic qualifiers in Brazil, at Woodford Square, Port-of-Spain on April 27, between 9 am to 6 pm. The qualifiers are scheduled for May 4 to 16.