Boxing fans are in for a treat this weekend.
The Amateur Boxing Association of Barbados (ABAB) stages its 35th anniversary card at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed today and tomorrow.
Not only will this event be staged as celebrations for the ABAB’s years of existence, but it will also be done in honour of Kathy Harper-Hall, the only member that has served that organization for all 35 years.
Harper-Hall was appointed to act as ABAB secretary in 1977 and was elected at the 1978 annual general meeting. She has since served not only as secretary but as vice-president, assistant secretary/treasurer, public relations officer, and committee member continuously.
“It is therefore fitting that the association should honour her not only for her distinguished service to the sport of amateur boxing in Barbados but that the other Caribbean islands should be invited to be part of an event in recognition of all the work that she has done for the sport throughout the Caribbean over the years,” the ABAB said in a press release.
“[The late] Dr [Ronald] Wilson and Kathy Harper-Hall have been described as the parents of competitive amateur boxing in the Dutch, French and English-speaking Caribbean.”
Eight Caribbean countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Grenada, St Lucia, St Maarten, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States Virgin Islands will join Barbados in the two nights of celebration.
There will be 28 bouts on the two-night card which will feature juniors (Under-15 years) youth (16-19 years), novices (boxers with fewer than five bouts) and open (seniors) boxers.
There will be 21 local boxers on the card, to come up against the boxers from the other islands.
Among them are Ricardo Blackman Jr, Cobia Breedy, Taj Farley, Adrian Biscette, Leonard Harewood and Anderson Emmanuel.
The opening ceremony will take place today at 6:15 pm when representatives from the National Sports Council, the Barbados Olympic Association, the Boxing Board of Control and the Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme will greet the delegations.
Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy will deliver the welcome address, while Minister of Sports Stephen Lashley will give brief remarks and declare the event officially open. (PR)
