Toronto-based Guyanese doctor, former boxing champ awarded UWI honours

By Ravendra Madholall –

The University of the West Indies (UWI) bestowed its prestigious annual Luminary Award on two outstanding Caribbean personalities at the recent gala fundraising event in Toronto.
Both recipients, Guyanese Dr. Budhendra Doobay and former world boxing champ Lennox Lewis, expressed gratitude for the honour. Dr. Doobay is currently employed with the Niagara Health System as a surgeon, while Lewis is famed as a professional boxer.

Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind, the Director of Advancement with the University, explained that the two awardees were recognised for their achievements and duly deserved it.
“There [are] as many people of Caribbean descent living elsewhere as they are living in the Caribbean and their efforts must be recognised; we started this award a few years ago in New York to honour Caribbean Americans and then decided to do the same in Canada,” she related.
Dr. Doobay, in an invited comment, said that he felt extremely proud and happy to be one of the recipients of the notable gesture.
“I am delighted to be recognised by the University of the West Indies; it is indeed a great feeling…given the fact that your work in various ways have been highlighted by such a reputable institution,” Dr Doobay indicated.
The distinguished doctor was born in Guyana but moved across to North America in 1975. He has joined hands with many voluntary organisations over the years to raise funds for sick people and has also played an integral role in the Ontario Hindu community.
“I just want to say thanks to the people for coming out to support me in this memorable event; it gives me more encouragement to do ‘good things’ and to help people that are in desperate situations; being a doctor also gives me greater inspiration to work harder,” Dr Doobay expressed.

He added that “every year I am part of a group from the University of McMaster who go to Guyana to work in a dialysis clinic.”
Meanwhile, Lewis, a former world champion fighter was also thankful for the recognition from the University of West Indies. His parents were born in Jamaica but Lewis has been a dual citizen of Canada and England.
“It is indeed an honour to be recognised by UWI, which is a mainstay in the Caribbean; I think education is huge for me and this event…is going to help young people who do not have the financial resources; (there are) many young minds out there who are going to shape the future and benefitting from a scholarship will help them achieve their goals,” Lewis noted.
Having fought 44 professional fights with an incredible 41 victories, including 32 knockouts and a solitary draw, Lewis also won a gold medal for Canada in the super heavyweight division at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburg.
The heavyweight boxer Lewis came to Canada at the age of 12 and immediately began his career as a boxer. He touched gloves with the iconic boxer Mike Tyson and also won the riveting contest with a knockout in 2002.