Jones: National Boxing Champs still on for 2022
Published:Tuesday | February 1, 2022 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
The National Boxing Championships, which is usually staged at the end of January each year, has missed its traditional date for the second year running
Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA) President Stephen Jones says the 2021 championships was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are plans to host the 2022 championships close to the end of the year, when there is likely to be more approvals for public events from the Government.
He pointed out that boxing has been inactive for two years, and the first thing they want to do is test COVID-19 protocol compliance with the clubs by hosting invitational events, before seeking to get a major public event like the national championships approved.
“The national championships is what our clubs look forward to mostly. It is what most of them strive towards. It is the most high-profile local (boxing) event and it is over three days.
“But with everyone still navigating whether or not public events can take place, we just want to see where we are by doing a one-night event in February.
“We will then be looking to do a few more throughout the year, until we get the go-ahead to have community shows and other public events like that,” he said.
ACCORDING TO PLAN
He noted that so far things are going according to plan, as the gyms are following the protocols that have been issued, and the request for vaccination has been well-received as well.
“We’ve had the approval protocol document from the ministry for a good while now, and we know exactly what we need to do in terms of having a safe space.
“We have seen enough, adapted enough, and we know enough to be able to pick up and move on.
“We have had more than enough time to educate the coaches and boxers, and the reception has been encouraging.”
Jones said there is no resistance to getting vaccinated.
“They are willing to follow the protocols and get back to exercising their skills. And no one has said they wouldn’t get vaccinated, and we have given them time to get vaccinated so we can resume activities ... we will see how we can get them back into the mix,” he continued.
He added that competition will also be crucial for the boxers who have international events this year.
“Ideally, we would love to have our first clash between the gyms at Stanley Couch Gym. The boxers have been doing their own work and have been working with their coaches.
“If we send some (boxers) abroad, we do not want it to be their first bout when they land on foreign soil.
“This (inter-gym clashes) will be a platform for the boxers to have some activities,” he stated.