Jamaica a leader in the Caribbean, says Pan Am president

UPON HER arrival to Jamaica on Friday night at the Norman Manley International Airport, president of the Pan American Boxing Confederation, Elise Seignolle, hailed Jamaica as one of the leading nations in the Caribbean.

Seignolle is on the island for an official five-day visit and was received by the president of the Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA), Stephen ‘Bomber’ Jones.

The confederation president said her visit was especially important as she views Jamaica as one of the sport’s key leaders in the region.

She hopes the support of her confederation in Jamaica could cause a domino effect across the Caribbean nations, boosting the development of the sport.

“I actually believe that Jamaica has a key role to play in the Caribbean. For way too long, the Caribbean has not been given the proper attention and the proper support,” Seignolle said shortly upon her arrival.

“I see Jamaica as an engine for the Caribbean and the idea is to really support Jamaica to carry that torch throughout the Caribbean.”

Seignolle also said her visit to Jamaica is for the purpose of getting a first-hand look of the Jamaican people and its sporting culture.

She believes understanding the culture of the various nations under her charge is essential to her role as a sporting administrator.

“You work best with people when you understand and know their culture so I’m looking forward to it,” she explained.

“I’m very excited to see the athletes, to see the people and spend some time.”

MAJOR BOOST

Jones described Seignolle’s visit as a major boost for Jamaica’s boxing, particularly as it comes a month after the visit of World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst.

“It is extremely important to have our president Seignolle here. She is very driven, goal-oriented and very busy as you can imagine,” Jones said.

“Her time is very much in demand so for her to come here, we got to make sure that we show her the platform that we want to launch everything for in Jamaica and for the Caribbean region as well.”

Jones said the increased attention from the Pan Am Boxing Confederation also means Jamaica will need to meet the high expectations set by Seignolle.

“We’re Jamaicans so naturally when the pressure is on, it builds diamonds. The most important thing is to have a goal and to have our vision.

“It is up to us to do what we need to do as she has mandated for our confederation to be the best in class. We’re ready, we’re prepared and we wouldn’t have her here if we didn’t think we were prepared,” Jones stated.

“It is an important visit and we are encouraged and happy to see what is happening in boxing here in Jamaica.”

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com