6 months ago
23
DESPITE THE need to get things moving, with enough time to help boxers get ready for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) and the Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA) will not be rushing into their proposed development of a national gym.
Stephen ‘Bomber’ Jones, president of the JBA, said conversations are under way between the associations regarding the project’s timeline.
“The conversations are still being held,” Jones told The Gleaner.
“These conversations have to be held first before we can break ground in any sort of way to make sure that everyone is on the same page.
“That’s where we are now, we’re just starting, so I think it will be in short order before we see a proper facility.”
Jones detailed one of his goals for a national gym will be the inclusion of stands to ensure the association is able to host large events.
He said their monthly showcases have been growing in popularity and will require larger capacity.
“We will show [JOA] president Samuda the stands that we have, the spaces that are here,” Jones explained about the Stanley Couch Gym, the proposed venue for the national venue.
“The equipment part is important, but we want the stands set up so that we can host better events, because we are having monthly shows that are gaining more and more in popularity.”
SAFE SPACE
Jones also believes a national gym could become a safe space for the Jamaican public to work on their boxing aspirations.
He continued, “We have to make sure that we have a safe space and a secure space, where we can turn the national gym into a membership-type of gym, where we have a daily manager and take it from there.”
Christopher Samuda, president of the JOA, echoed much of Jones’ sentiments, repeating his belief in the need for a space the sport can call home.
He believes for Jamaican boxing to produce Olympic-level talent on a regular basis, it must first be given the resources to do so.
“Any sport needs a home where you can nurture talent and where you can convert talent, and this gym will be a home for our boxers,” said Samuda.
“Yes, we can finance teams and we can finance endeavours, but what you have to do is ensure that you have physical infrastructure where boxers can feel they have a security of tenure to practise their craft.”
English (US) ·