CAY HILL--The National Sports Institute, with the support of Argos Antilles and Samenwerkende Fondsen Cariben, is currently developing a new dedicated boxing facility at the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex (RISC). The project will provide a safe and accessible space for the continued growth of boxing on Sint Maarten and responds to a need identified by the St. Maarten National Boxing Federation, as the sport currently does not have a dedicated facility where athletes can consistently train and develop.
The approximately 70 m² outdoor facility will be fully roofed and equipped with various elements for boxing and fitness training. The project has been creatively designed around a low-budget, high-impact approach, making smart use of available resources to create a functional and durable training environment without the need for a costly, large-scale building.
The facility will also become a home for boxing within the Sport Unites! program, implemented in collaboration with the St. Maarten Sports Federation (SMSF). Through Sport Unites!, the aim is to reach more children and young people and provide them with a positive alternative to spending their free time on the streets. Boxing offers an environment where they can stay active while developing discipline, confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging.
By bringing together a dedicated training space, the National Boxing Federation and structured youth programming, the project goes beyond simply building a new sports facility. It creates a home for boxing where young people can train, coaches can develop athletes, and the sport can continue to grow sustainably on Sint Maarten.
“At Argos, our higher purpose is centered on positively transforming people’s lives and creating long-term value in the communities where we operate. Supporting initiatives such as this boxing facility reflects our commitment to sustainability while creating meaningful opportunities for people to grow and thrive. We are proud to contribute to a space that will help young people develop discipline, confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging, while supporting the sustainable growth of boxing on St. Maarten.” — Keianna Liburd, Argos Antilles
