Despite receiving no funding from Government, the Caribbean Boxing Championship will go on as planned, Cecil Forde, president of the T&T Boxing Association has said.
His association needed $175, 000 out of a budget of more than $800, 000 to stage the event, and according to the local boxing boss, he is still attempting to pick up sponsors here and there, but otherwise, the event will be based on credit.
He noted, as miscellaneous expenses have pushed the overall cost to over $1 million, his association has now been faced with another major challenge.
"In spite of this, the show has to go on. We are expecting attendances from international officials here to see the event from the Commonwealth Games and others from participating teams."
Boxers from more than 14 countries in the Caribbean and surrounding areas will be here for the event, such as Jamaica, Aruba, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, USVI, Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Guadeloupe and host nation T&T will battle for top honours and bragging rights.
The tournament will also be used as preparation for the Olympic Qualifiers and preparation ahead of the Commonwealth Youth Games.
Forde said the government has not even acknowledged their request for financial assistance.
The tournament gets underway with an opening ceremony at the National Cycling Centre (NCC) on Thursday and will go until Sunday. The country will be represented by its largest contingent ever with participants in every division.
On the team will be T&T's Olympic boxer Nigel Paul, Michael Alexander, Cam Awesome, Andrew Fermin, Aaron Prince, Joshua Sylvester, Donnel Phillip, Anthony Joseph, Kevlon Denoon, Tyrique Hosein, Joseph Beckles, Renaldo Diaz, Tyrone Thomas, Mike Innis, Hakeem De Freitas, Mercel Sammy, Curtis Bascombe, Trevor Bharrat, Stephen Cox, Ike Ifetayo, Nathan Debesette, Jordel Williams, Jaden Cummings, Justin Maharaj, Andell Richardson, Shaka Elias, Stephen Lazar, Jeremiah Thomas, Blessing Waldropt, Nyrell Hosein, Abdul Taylor, Ortega Jukhu, Tianna Guy and Jewel Lambert.