walter.alibey@guardian.co.tt
Cecil Forde, president of the T&T Boxing Association (TTBA) has declared war on the T&T Boxing Board of Control (TTBBC), being led by Attorney Barry Ishmael, after a Youth Training Centre (YTC) card which was sanctioned by the TTBA, was stopped by TTBBC representatives on Saturday who declared the ring unsuitable for competition.
Yesterday Forde, equipped with a document that clearly outlined the functions of TTBBC's representatives Susan Gooding and Sharma Stroude, showed that both are limited to act as observers at boxing events specifically. Apart from that, the Board's representatives are to collect the pre-requirements of the Board, in order for the necessary permits to be issued in a timely manner.
Saturday's boxing card received conditional approval from the Board on December 27, 2018, but final approval depended on the submission of medical certificates on the boxers from the Medical Practitioner registered by the Medal Board of T&T, showing they are medically fit and cleared to fight.
The amateur boxing boss explained that the readiness of the ring is determined by a ringmaster which the boxing board was obligated to provide on the day, but did not.
He maintained the ring, which has been used by his association for many years, was in a good condition to be used for Saturday's card.
"They are blatantly victimising the TTBA and its events, at a time when the preparation is urgently needed ahead of the Pan American Qualifiers and the Pan Am Games. We already have a team in training and these events are geared toward providing much-needed practice," Forde said.
He is calling for the YTC to be properly reimbursed for monies put out for the card. Guardian Media Sports learnt that well over $15,000 was spent by the YTC to cover the cost of transportation, food and drink, the cost to construct the ring and payment of officials, among other things.
"I am calling on the president of the boxing board to explain why its representatives exceeded their functions and stopped a card designed to prepare the country's boxers for international competition," Forde asked.
A team of boxers, being led by Olympian Nigel Paul, sprang into training ahead of the Pan Am Qualifiers in April, the Pan Am Games in July in Lima Peru, the Caribbean Schoolboys Championship in Guyana in August, and the Olympic Qualifiers to be held in Russia in August/September.
Forde is set to stage another boxing event at the Cosmic Boxing Gym in Marabella at the end of the month and intends to use the same boxing ring.
Attempts to reach Ishmael yesterday proved futile as calls to his cellphone went unanswered.