Boxing - SBF announces development plans |16 January 2017

It’s fair to say that once boxing was the most talked about sport in the country and it was the one that brought most international medals to our islands through the legendary trio of Rival Payet, Gerry Legras and Roland Raforme.

Despite the emergence of top boxers like Andrique Allisop and Keddy Agnes, last year saw the sport really enjoy a resurgence through the re-introduction of a boxing league, which aims at getting more young boxers into the sport.

According to a communiqué from the federation, youth development will definitely be one of their main focuses this year.

“We the members of the Seychelles Boxing Federation are looking forward for a fruitful year. Our plans are to push boxing aggressively forward as never seen or achieved before on our islands, by putting emphasis on school boys and girls, juniors and youths,” writes the communiqué.

The Seychelles Boxing Federation (SBF) wants to develop more boxers from Praslin. This will be possible through the employment of a permanent Aiba 1-star coach, Roch Pirame, who will take charge of training on Praslin and La Digue.

“It is for this reason that we shall move one league competition – on May 13 – to Baie Ste Anne,” said the communiqué.

At Anse Royale, Aiba 3-star coach Rival Payet will be helped by Jovet Jean on a part-time basis and will expand to Takamaka and Anse Boileau schools. The eastern, central and northern region will be managed by Aiba 3-star coach Gerry Legras and will be helped by Roland Raforme. This project will cover the Pointe Larue, Belonie, English River and Beau Vallon schools.

Furthermore, the SBF is planning to recruit more officials from the youth to meet with the demands.

Historically, boxing is the most successful Olympic sport in Seychelles after reaching the quarterfinals at the 1992 Games in Barcelona and at the moment there are currently four boxing schools in the country. The federation now wants to have at least three boxers qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

“We shall be grateful for help and sponsorships for the betterment of our beloved sport of boxing,” said the communiqué, in a bid to get more support from the public and businesses.

Meanwhile, the boxing league, which was only introduced in September of last year, will now have its first full season and will begin on February 11 at 10am at the NSC Hall, Roche Caïman.

The following is the full 2017 boxing league calendar:

1. February 11

2. March 11 

3. April 15

4. May 13 at Baie Ste Anne, Praslin, time TBD

5. June 10

6. July 15

7. August 12

8. September 16

9. October 14

10. November 11

11. December 9, last competition and prize-giving ceremony

S. N.

The SBF is working on giving boxing back its glamour