The Boxing Association of Saint Lucia teamed up with the organizers of Anse La Raye Fish Friday, on April 20, for an event dubbed Boxing Out West.
The initiative serves two purposes: to enhance the Fish Friday experience in Anse La Raye, and to provide exposure for Saint Lucian boxers while at the same time rallying support for the local boxing association.
David Shakes Christopher, President of the Saint Lucia Boxing Association detailed the 2018 calendar of events.
“Our planned events include road shows that will bring boxing matches to the people around the island. We held a few on the east coast, now we have collaborated with Minister Dominic Fedee and the Fish Fry Committee to bring it to Anse La Raye. We have held it in Dennery, and in Gros Islet as well.”
Organizers were able to garner interest from a number of young persons from the community who signed up to become part of the boxing program.
“We had over 20 youngsters from the Anse La Raye Secondary School, the George Odlum Secondary School, the Entrepot Secondary School, and the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School combined, signing up for the program,” said Christopher. “We hope to have a space within the community centre to start up a small boxing gym in the community. This is where we will find the future champions and nurture better citizens in keeping with the slogan—As We Move Around, Hands in Gloves Not On Guns.”
Parliamentary Representative for Anse La Raye/Canaries, who is also the Minister with responsibility for Tourism, Hon. Dominic Fedee, said efforts are continuing in order to improve the Fish Friday experience.
“We are in the process of rebuilding the fish-fry and as well, we have a lot of young people that are looking for opportunities to get involved in sports, and we thought that we would introduce boxing events so as to contribute to the fish fry product but at the same time create an opportunity for the young people to be part of an experience,” Mr. Fedee said.
“We also intend in the next phase to try our very best to see how we can tap into cruise ship passengers who are looking for a daytime experience. And sometime in the near future, we hope to replicate the Friday night experience during the day so that passengers on the cruise ships who are here in the cruise season can sample the fish fry even in the day as well.”
Anse La Raye Fish Friday is held weekly, and features live entertainment and music by popular DJs.
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