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| Boxing Benevolent Fund, a challenging dimension |
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Fred Sturrup
Guardian Columnist/Sales Executive
Published: Sep 06, 2012
A primary objective of the recently appointed Bahamas Boxing Commission (BBC) will be a benevolent fund. The fund will be established to provide charitable assistance in health care and funding to the pro boxing alumni. The alumni are inclusive of all of those with an official record of having been or currently involved in pro boxing as competitors, trainers, managers, promoters, corner assistants, referees, judges, timekeepers, medical personnel and administrators. The commission plans to solicit the assistance of Dr. Richard Demeritte. Dr. Demeritte is a past auditor general of The Bahamas, high commissioner and ambassador to the United Kingdom and presently the chairman of the Bank of The Bahamas board of directors. He also has a distinguished background in sports. He became one of the leading bodybuilders in the 1950s and 1960s. In more recent times, he continued his contribution to sports development in the nation as an executive member in the bodybuilding federation and the Bahamas Boxing Commission. He served also as treasurer of the Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE). Dr. Demeritte is the honorary life chairman of the local bodybuilding federation. Earlier this week, he expressed his desire “to help wherever and whenever I can in sports development, given my other responsibilities”. “I thank you for the consideration,” said Dr. Demeritte. “I just need to be filled in on the developments.” The program will be a great challenge for the commission, a most innovative undertaking. It will break new grounds in Bahamian sports and require much dedication and planning. When established, there is the task of administering the benevolent fund. The commission will be obligated to ensure that a management team is in place to implement the regulations and to coordinate the fund on an ongoing basis. Dr. Demeritte sees the initiative as exciting and a proposed happening of great significance. “I never have a problem being associated with meaningful programs. Such a program is necessary given the fact that for years, many of those who have contributed to the development of professional boxing, have fallen on hard times with absolutely no positive options for their well being. The fund will speak and perform volumes in this regard,” said Dr. Demeritte. The operation base for the fund and other commission activities will be a new headquarters to be provided by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. Once the structure of the fund is complete, the commission will meet with all of the stakeholders in professional boxing in the country. (To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com) |
