The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH the new administration in the Bahamas Amateur Boxing Federation taking on a new initiative on Friday night in hosting an All-Bahamian elimination event at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, the only thing missing was a proper boxing ring.

Federation president Vincent Strachan said they are so grateful that Albany stepped up to the plate and assisted them in providing the ring just in the nick of time.

“This is a God-sent gesture,” said Strachan yesterday as he received the donation along with his treasurer Wellington Smith from Albany’s vice president Dr Tyrone McKenzie at Albany.

“I was in Cuba and I was speaking with Carl Hield and I told him that we are putting on the show on Friday and we don’t have a ring,” Strachan said. “When I got home, we got a call from Albany, who told us that they have a ring for us. It could only be through divine intervention because I believe in God and he’s a part of my life and what I believe, I always achieve.”

While he came unexpectedly, Strachan said he and his executives are excited and they will certainly enjoy it because they have a huge burden lifted off their shoulders.

In congratulating Strachan and his new executive team, McKenzie said they heard the cry about the assistance they needed and they had $12-15,000 for first class equipment, including a full-fledge ring and all of the punching bags and accessories, so they decided to donate it to the federation.

“Whenever there is a need, as good corporate citizens, we make every effort to assist,” McKenzie said. “Considering the focus and the trust towards youth development, they should be able to benefit from a donation of this type.”

Smith said the donation comes right in time as the federation is set to host the All-Bahamian elimination for the national team that will be travelling to Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana in November and December.

“I’m impressed and shocked because we have a boxing match scheduled for Friday and the piece of the puzzle missing was the ring,” he said. “We were trying to wonder where on God’s earth we were going to get the ring. I asked the president how can we stage the show without the ring because we can’t take any garbage into the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. All I can say is to God be the glory. We talked about the ring and the ring appeared. We thank God for this gesture.”

Strachan said they can now stage the type of elimination that they need to produce the new national boxing team that will represent the Bahamas moving forward. “Once the senior team goes to Barbados and then Trinidad, they will remain in Trinidad and train until the junior team leaves to go to Guyana where they will be joined by the senior team,” Strachan said.

He noted that at least 14 persons will also travel to participate in a coaches, referees and judges clinic where they hope to get their certification.

“The Bahamas will be fully engulfed with boxing,” Strachan said. “Where there was no boxing, boxing will be.”