Cayman boxer Hepseba Angel has returned to training camp in Ireland at coach Liam Brereton’s gym. The return to camp kicks off the Cayman Islands Boxing Associations (“CIBA”) agenda for 2022.
The association continues to face challenges with the ongoing pandemic and training athletes in Cayman for international competition is impossible given the Covid-19 regulations applicable to gymnasiums which, pursuant to the Control and Management of Covid-19 Regulations, currently mandate social distancing and proof of vaccination for all users, unless the gymnasium can be designated as not substantially enclosed, defined as having an aggregate area of more than fifty percent open walls. These regulations prevent current on-Island competition preparation like pad work, sparring and other methods which involve contact or breaking social distancing.
For the boxers to reach the skill and fitness levels necessary to perform and represent the country internationally, CIBA will be working to send boxers overseas to train and compete. While this is a costly ambition, the board of directors are pushing to ensure that the association continues to fulfil its mandate to promote and develop amateur boxing in the Cayman Islands.
CIBA stated that it was very grateful for the efforts being made by everyone involved in youth and amateur boxing, including its coaches, sponsors, the Cayman Islands Government, the Olympic Committee (CIOC) and the Department of Sports. All the aforementioned organisations are working to fulfil their mandates in extremely challenging circumstances and within a constantly shifting landscape of postponed events and changing regulations at both a national and international level.
CIBA remains confident that it can continue to develop the sport and our athletes and, rather than wait for conditions to improve, to soldier on as much as possible. CIBA further noted that it had very high expectations for Hepseba who has demonstrated the commitment and determination to make it to the Commonwealth Games, and it was equally committed to organising camps for other athletes such as the youth squad, subject to their ability and willingness to travel for camps.”
Hepseba will travel to Bulgaria from Ireland in February for a week of training and to compete in the 73rd International Boxing Tournament “STRANDJA”. The tournament will host boxers from around the world and is an excellent opportunity for Hepseba as she prepares for the Commonwealth Games in July.
CIBA is presently working through logistics to hopefully send other boxers to Ireland to train and compete throughout the year.
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