A team of amateur boxers from St Lucia is expected here for a Goodwill tour of Guyana sometime later this year.
This is according to president of the St Lucia Amateur Boxing Association David ‘Shakes’ Christopher who though here on business, took time out to speak with Stabroek Sport.
The St Lucian team will bear its own air travel expenses but the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association will cater for their accommodation, meals and travel locally.
According to Christopher, he has already spoken with Guyana Amateur Boxing Association president Steve Ninvalle who has given the ‘thumbs up’ to the idea.
“This will foster greater development for the two countries in boxing as with such exchange programmes, boxers learn a lot and gain much experience fighting foreign opponents. We are looking forward to this exchange visit being an annual affair with the Guyana team going to St Lucia for the second leg”, Christopher added.
Currently the St Lucians are involved in an annual exchange programme with Martinique and Guyana is expected to be the third team involved once all plans are finalized.
Christopher hinted that the plan is to get Guyana into the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States OECS framework, so that the islands can learn from Guyana which has a wealth of experience in the sport.
Christopher who was born in Linden in 1961 to St Lucian parents took over the presidency of the SLABA from another Guyanese Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira in January 2009.
St Lucia won the inaugural Creole Boxing Championship held in Guadeloupe in December 2009, winning six gold and seven silver medals.
According to Christopher, the island has over 70 boxers including 15 females but there is a shortage of referees and judges.
According to Christopher further stated that, plans are on stream to organize more courses to improve on the numbers.
