For years now while operating in a dilapidated, termite and cockroach infested old building near the Sab Playing Facility (formerly known as the Vigie Playing Field), the St Lucia Amateur Boxing Association (SLABA) has produced OECS champions and won other regional titles. Now that they have a new facility what does it mean for the sport?
Think I’m wrong when describing the state of the old structure? Here’s what SLABA President, David “Shakes” Christopher had to say during a recent interview: “When I took over as President the numbers kept dwindling because the facility was in a mess. It was smelly, the toilet was chocked, always backing up. When females came here it was a shameful sight because they had nowhere to change, that’s all taken care of now.”
A spanking new building does not guarantee success, but Christopher couldn’t help but recall his close friend and associate, the late Brian McDonald saying: “Our dream is to bring the first Olympic medal of any color to Saint Lucia and boxing will be that sport.”
He has never forgotten those words and truly believes that a Saint Lucian boxer here or overseas will fulfill McDonald’s pronouncement. It could happen, there’s plenty of talent here. Lyndel “The Russian” Marcellin is a Caribbean champion and Nathan Ferrari are among the most talented boxers. Overseas based Dudley O’Shaughnessy is also highly regarded.
The new boxing gym measures 74×33 and is 40 feet high. The estimated cost is just over $500, 00.00. Furthermore the gym will include $20,000.00 worth of highly specialized equipment from China. The funds came courtesy of the St Lucia Olympic Committee Inc, the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports and the St Lucia National Lotteries. West Indies Shipping is also played a key role in getting the equipment here.
Christopher can hardly for the equipment to arrive and could not contain his enthusiasm. “We have some really high tech equipment coming, consisting of multi-purpose stations, target spots where you can hit various parts of the body, speed balls, new gloves etc. The gym will be dressed up and look real professional and then we will have an official opening. It will be the largest and best equipped gym in the region and will host various workshops for countries in the OECS.”
He mentioned speaking to former Boxing Champion Lennox Lewis, who is interested in coming here to conduct a Caribbean workshop under the sponsorship of his foundation. Christopher himself has been the backbone and part financier when it comes to construction costs and received plenty of help along the way. He’s robbed Peter to pay Paul, in this case his own funds from his annual Blackheart/SLFA Knockout Football Competition, was used for part of the construction costs.
In addition there were big time stakeholders like the St Lucia Olympic Committee Inc, Government of St Lucia, Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, Gobat Foundation, CO Williams and numerous other donations from private individuals.
Exterior view of the new boxing gym.With the absence of regional competition due to COVID-19, the SLABA President is eager to get boxing back in the limelight. He plans on having several road shows throughout the island. The absence of competition here and abroad provided the SLABA with the opportunity to concentrate on other boxing matters. The association trained four new coaches: former boxers Miguel Auguste and Ron Bastien, police officer Dalton “The Hurricane” George — who was stationed in Dennery but received special permission from the Police Commissioner to transfer here — and then there’s Brian O’Shaughnessy, the father of overseas boxer Dudley O’Shaughnessy.
A new building and latest equipment is sure to transform and uplift boxing here in Saint Lucia, but will it lead to their ultimate goal – Saint Lucia’s first medal at the Olympic Games. Time will tell!
