The 1st AIBA Americas Olympic Qualification Tournament in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago opened on Tuesday to great fanfare and pageantry.

AIBA President Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu was joined by the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Professor George Maxwell Richards, the Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs and the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee Mr. Larry Romany among other local dignitaries on a special occasion recognising the significance of Trinidad and Tobago hosting the first Olympic qualifying event for any sport in the English-speaking Caribbean.

"This is a momentous occasion, not only for AIBA and the Olympic qualification process, being the first qualifier in the Americas, but also for the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Association which has been nothing short of inspirational for all members of the AIBA family," President Wu said. "The new AIBA encourages all federations to have the opportunity to welcome the stars of our sport and this 1st AIBA Americas Olympic Qualification Tournament is Trinidad and Tobago's turn."

President Richards was equally impressed with the manner the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Association has effectively punched above its weight to be the proud hosts of this ground-breaking event.

"Today we celebrate the efforts of all the trail blazers in this sport and those who, within more recent times, have provided the evidence of our prowess, as boxers and as organizers who are well able to hold their places at international level."

The 1st AIBA Americas Olympic Qualification Tournament begins on Wednesday at 14:00 (local time) with the first day of preliminaries.