REFEREES and judges affiliated to the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association will benefit from a four-day Upgrade seminar later in the month. Trinidadian Fitzroy James Beckles, an AIBA-Qualified referee/judge will conduct the seminar. President of GABA, Steve Ninvalle, said yesterday that Beckles is expected in Guyana on Wednesday, January 26. Ninvalle pointed out that the seminar is a shot in the arm for the sport since it has been a while since upgrades were held.
He noted that although local referees and judges are enthusiastic, deficiencies have been highlighted in their modus operandi.
“Since the election of our executive we have given priority to upgrade seminar but had to wait until Mr Beckles was available. We are very happy that it has finally become a reality and we plan on making it an annual event as rules change frequently,” Ninvalle said.
The last Upgrade programme in Guyana was held over four years ago. While here, the Trinidadian referee/judge will be given a chance to observe local officials in action at a specially organised Under-15 competition scheduled for January 29 and the Proam card the previous day.
“It was decided that in order for Mr Beckles to properly evaluate our officials he would need to see them in action. So GABA has planned a one-day Under-15 tournament. Mr Beckles will also use the four fights allotted to GABA on the monthly Proam card to assess.”
Currently GABA has 41 registered referee/judges with only a fraction of that number active.
“There are only 13 functioning at this point in time. The hope is that this Upgrade programme will serve as a catalyst to have more
officials return to active duty,” the GABA president stated.
Meanwhile, Ninvalle disclosed that GABA is on the verge of getting its own home.  “I can say that by the end of this month a building would be handed over to the association. We are thankful and it will go a long way in better developing amateur boxing in Guyana,” Ninvalle said.