FIVE appointments have been made to the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control, Sport Minister Darryl Smith announced yesterday.
Smith disclosed the names of the new appointees at yesterday's Post Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair, Port of Spain.
Chairman of the new board is Barry Ishmael, an attorney-at-law who also specialises in combat fighting and karate. The other members comprised of former senior police officer, Terry Young, businessman Simon de Nobrega, shotput athlete Cleopatra Borel and Dr Rochelle Mohammed.
There was an urgent need to fill the positions so that the board could become functional, Smith stated.
The previous board, which was chaired by attorney Annabelle Davis, was appointed in July 2015 however, Davis resigned in March 2016. She was joined by another board member, veteran boxer Kurt Sinette.
The board is mandated to bring the sport back to communities and schools and is also charged with developing the infrastructure necessary to keep boxing going in those areas.
It is also expected to create community-led programmes to address, among other needs, the nutritional requirements of aspiring and established athletes.
The board is also required to improve the image of the sport, encourage and augment private sector involvement to ensure that local talent reach its full potential on the international stage.