Boxing-Shaken by hard blow SABF readies to counter |29 December 2012

A punch, the Seychelles Amateur Boxing Federation (SABF) took a really hard one straight in the face for not organising a single competition this year. Re-elected SABF chairman for a four-year term in February this year, Hervé Anthony has said that although the punch did not knock them down, it really shook them and they will be back stronger next season to throw harder blows.

“It’s true we did not organise any competition this year as we concentrated on qualifying our boxers for the Olympic Games. We managed to get one boxer – Andrique Allisop – to the London Games and we are proud of this achievement,” said Mr Anthony, who added that in the meantime we have been doing a lot of work in the background to improve the quality of boxing here.

“We have worked on creating clubs to be managed by the SABF as we have learned from experience that it is difficult for individuals to run clubs. We already have five clubs – two on Praslin, one from the police, one from Anse Royale and one from central and north Mahe. We expect to have a third club from Grand Anse Praslin and to help with the training of boxers there, the boxing ring at Victoria Gymnasium will be sent to the island,” said chairman Anthony.

“Russian coach Igor Kolesnikov, who is a very good technician, will work closely with all the clubs to make sure that the boxers, especially the younger ones are taught the right techniques,” added Mr Anthony, who noted that “with all the administrative work we have done this year, not one member of the executive committee should find an excuse for not organising competitions next season”.

“Everything’s in place and we will have a meeting with all coaches on January 14, 2013 to set the ball rolling as the first competition is slated for the end of February. We expect to see more exciting and nail-biting bouts as of next year,” commented Mr Anthony.

Another reason he has given for not organising local competitions this year is that most boxers, especially the seniors, don’t have opponents.

“It has been difficult to pair the boxers this year as there weren’t so many of them,” added local boxing head Anthony whose sport has always been a medal hope for Seychelles in all regional, continental and international competitions.

Only last year, local boxers won nine medals – four of the gold hue and five bronze – at the 8th Indian Ocean Island Games the country hosted.

G. G.