World Boxing president hails Gloves Over Guns programme

World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst had high praises for the Gloves Over Guns programme which he saw in person when he visited the Montego Bay on Sunday.

The Jamaica Boxing Association’s (JBA) flagship programme currently involves six high schools in the western end of the island. They are Irwin, Muschett, Green Pond, Anchovy, Spot Valley and Herbert Morrison Technical High.

The programme caters to boys and girls and there are plans to expand it in the west. The JBA hosts a monthly show for boxers on the last Saturday of each month.

After observing and sparring with some of the student boxers/athletes van der Vorst said. “This visit was for me truly inspirational. Montego Bay Gym is more than a gym. Today I was really touched by how these kids are now trying to improve their own lives, so, yes it was for me (a) great experience.”

Van der Vorst thinks that the programme can be introduced to other islands in the region.

“First and foremost let’s start with the Caribbean region and see how we can expand this project also to other Caribbean countries,” he said.

Jasmine Graham, the head coach at the Montego Bay Gym, spoke about the personal benefits of the programme and her motivation to help her charges.

“I am more than happy because it’s a dream come true. I am a product of the programme. I started boxing when I was 11 years old and today I am proud to say that I am the female heavyweight champion of the Caribbean and now the head coach of Montego Bay boxing gym so I’m very proud of the programme,” Graham said.

“So the programme really is to assist youths who are at risk, who have anger management issues, who need to learn self-defence, or just to take it a little further to become a champion. So that’s what we’re doing here at the Montego Bay boxing gym,” she added.

JBA president Stephen ‘Bomber’ Jones lauded the growth of the programme under Graham’s management. He also paid tribute to the sponsors who ensure its longevity. Several stakeholders were part of the visit to the Montego Bay gym on Sunday including Mayor Richard Vernon, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association Christopher Samuda, as well as representatives from sponsors, such as Sandals Foundation, Doctor’s Cave Foundation, Deja Resorts, Pier One, S Hotel, Spanish Court Hotel, Ultra Medical, KFC, Trinity Mall and Ultrasounds MoBay.