By WALTER ALIBEY Tuesday, February 9 2010

CECIL FORDE has been re-elected for another three-year term in as president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ABATT).

He was returned unopposed at the association’s annual general meeting at the Police Mess Hall, Long Circular Road, St James, on Sunday morning.

Forde’s lone challenger, ex-national boxer turned administrator Allan Ferguson withdrew from the election after what he termed “unfair practice” by the Forde-led administration shortly before the actual voting took place.

Forde thanked the coaches and gyms for their support and reminded them of the difficult task of unearthing new talent, developing them and taking them to international standard.

He told the gathering that at one point in time, amateur boxing had been among the lowest of the grassroots sports in Trinidad and Tobago.

“Now we are considered among the top five sports in the country,” he added. At a press conference held soon after the elections, Forde dismissed claims that the ‘Show of Hands’ form of voting was not in line with that of the governing body for amateur boxing the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA).

He said his association had been advised that the law of a country supercedes the ruling of the international body.

“There is a law which states that. The law of the country must supercede that of the AIBA,” Forde said.

He explained that Sunday’s outcome of the elections is a reflection of what the membership for the sport wanted. In addition the local boxing boss made it clear that the ‘show-of-hands’ form of voting was the one agreed on by all the gyms and coaches.

He made it clear that the show of hands form of voting was also an indication that they have absolutely nothing to hide. “This form of voting is even more fair than the secret ballot.”

Other members of Forde’s slate were also given a second term in office with the exception of Abdul Haqq, who will get his first term as the association’s second vice-president.

Those returned were Reynold Cox who defeated Haqq 27-25 in the race for first vice-president. They were the only two candidates for the vice-presidents positions, therefore, Haqq will assume the role of second vice- president.

Mario Robinson was also re-elected unopposed for the position of secretary while Deopersad Ramoutar got the better of Vicki Boodram 30-3 for the assistant secretary position.

Vistabella Boxing Gym’s Fitzroy Richards triumphed over Christopher Hospedales 30-10 for the position of treasurer and Willie Williams defeated Roland Cave 26-24 to be the association’s Public Relation’s Officer (PRO).

Meanwhile, Molly Boxill and Gordon Hoyte got the nod from a field of five for the position of trustees.

The elections was not without its fair share of controversy as five gyms — Waldron Brooks of the Arima Wallerfield Warriors, Edison Bernard of Steelfist Boxing Gym, Learie Bruce of Young Tigers Boxing Gym in Cumuto, Selwyn Guy of Young Tigers in Arima and Craig Storm of Aripo Boxing Gym were prevented from voting because they were not registered.

Brooks said he had been attempting to register his gym for the past year but has been turned away by the amateur association.

Wendell Joseph, a former national heavyweight champion also publicly vented his disgust about the manner in which the amateur association was being managed.