On Friday, May 30, the sound of gloves hitting pads echoed at the H.I.I.T Box in Kingston as young Jamaican boxers trained under the watchful eye of former national champion Sakima Mullings. But this wasn’t just another day at the gym—it was the continuation of a powerful partnership that underscores how sport can be used as a tool for transformation.
The University of Toronto’s International Development through Sport course, led by Dr. Simon Darnell, returned to Jamaica for the second year in a row to witness firsthand how boxing is being used to empower youth in vulnerable communities. The visit formed part of a six-week programme that combines classroom learning with immersive fieldwork, exploring sport’s role in driving social development.
"Last year, they visited the Fight for Peace programme in Trench Town and saw how combat sports were used as a tool to reach at-risk youth," explained Mullings, who now runs H.I.I.T Box alongside other former members of that initiative. "The programme itself isn’t operating anymore, but we’ve continued the work."
That continuation has taken shape in a grassroots movement led by Mullings, Zen Locke, Mark Cole, Jonathan Hanson, and Daniel Wilmot—individuals who have stayed connected to the youth long after the formal structure of Fight for Peace ended.
"We’re not under the banner of Fight for Peace, but we’re still here—still doing the work," Mullings said. "We hold sessions at the community centre in Trench Town, and we also bring the kids here to H.I.I.T Box free of charge."
With transportation often a barrier, Locke plays a key role in coordinating how the kids get to the gym—by taxi, bus, whatever it takes. Once they arrive, it’s more than just boxing drills. It’s about building discipline, confidence, and resilience.
“Boxing gives them something to hold on to,” Mullings said. “It teaches them how to focus, how to fight for their goals—not just in the ring, but in life.”
On Thursday, the University of Toronto group visited the Trench Town community centre, where they saw the grassroots side of the programme. On Friday, the students came to H.I.I.T Box to witness what happens when those same young athletes step into a more structured training environment.
“It was important for them to see both sides of the journey,” said Mullings. “Where it starts and where it can go.”
Dr. Darnell agreed. When told the original Fight for Peace programme was no longer running, he recognised that what had emerged was perhaps even more authentic.
“That’s what sport for development is,” said Mullings. “It’s not about the name of a programme. It’s about using whatever resources you have to bring about positive change.”
As the training session wrapped and students mingled with the young athletes, it was clear the experience was more than observational—it was inspirational.
And for Mullings, the message remains simple: “As long as we can reach one kid, give them the confidence to believe in something bigger than their circumstances, then the fight is worth it.”