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AIBA’s 2018 Year of Caribbean to assume even greater importance for the region’s boxing following devastating Hurricane Irma

September 13th, 2017 / IBA

With the Caribbean already announced as the second region to receive the attention of AIBA’s ground-breaking ‘Year Of’ Legacy Projects in 2018, the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma gives the initiative even greater significance as the islands begin their lengthy rebuilding process. As well as addressing the psychological trauma caused by this catastrophe and repairing the physical damage done to property on the islands, of equal importance is the strong social fabric of the people, and boxing can become an even greater source of strength, solidarity and hope as the islanders rebuild their lives.

“We have started to hold discussions with all of our Caribbean National Federations to make that sure we can tailor the successful Year of Africa to suit their specific needs across next year. The region will recover from this terrible natural catastrophe, but it will take time. Through the Year of the Caribbean we can help with that process and I will make sure our Association remains committed to this,” said AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu.

At the end of 2016, St Maarten became the 201st National Federation member of AIBA during the Extraordinary Congress in Montreux, with a determination to reinvigorate the island’s boxing tradition.