Charles Roberts elected President of the Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym

Mar 17, 2010 Sports

Assistant Superintendent of the Mayor and Town Council (M&CC) Constabulary, Charles Roberts was elected President of the Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym (PRBG) when that entity held its Annual General Meeting and elected office bearers to conduct its business for the next three years at the Penguin International Hotel, Strand New Amsterdam Friday evening last.

Newly elected President of the gym, Charles Roberts (seated centre) pose with coach Orlan Rogers (extreme right) and other executive members shortly after the elections.

Mavis LaBennet is the Vice President while Carolyn Quinn is the Secretary. Banks DIH Sales Manager, Joshua Torrezao is the Treasurer with Cindy Watts as the Secretary/Treasurer. The committee members are Sandra Williamson, Joel Mohabir and Peter Lyken while Orlan Rogers has been appointed as the head coach. Former heavyweight professional boxer Al Thomas is his deputy while former Mayor of New Amsterdam, Errol Alphonso, has been appointed as the advisor.

In brief remarks after his installment Mr. Roberts vowed to work assiduously to lift the sport to a very high standard. He said that he recognized that boxing is the catalyst to the rehabilitation of young boxers and is also a sport that lifts them out of poverty.

The new president also acknowledged that the sport provides worthwhile activity where the young pugilists can occupy their spare time. To this end, the new President has committed himself to the development of the young boxers while providing opportunities for them to excel in their field.

The gym was formed some five years ago after Rogers, a Lindener, moved to the area and recognizing a need for such a facility, sought help from the business community and other well wishers for its installation.

It had been a rocky road with the facility being recited on several occasions. The facility is now situated in the People’s National Congress (PNC) building, Strand and St Magaline streets, New Amsterdam.

Recently, President of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), Steve Ninvalle paid a visit to the facility to evaluate the training conditions and has committed to re-site the gym to the Drop in Center in Smithfield. The boxers are scheduled to do so shortly.

The gym currently tutors 16 boxers, most of who comes from depressed areas in Angoy Avenue and Canje. Some of these boxers are currently preparing for the inaugural Pro/Am boxing card in that county, scheduled for next Saturday at the Welfare Ground, Canje Berbice.