certification course crucial as Olympic cycles begin.
THE Guyana Boxing Association(GBA) on Saturday at the National Racquet Centre
commenced their Referees’ and Judges’ Certification Programme..
The programme is being conducted by Trinidad and Tobago’s James Beckles, a three-
star referee, referee assessor, and lead instructor with the New World Body, World
Boxing.
Beckles said that he had to make the transition from an official and technical
standpoint from the International Boxing Association (IBA) to the World Boxing
Organisation.
‘I was the lead evaluator to the chief evaluator and instructor at the Paris
2024 Olympic Games, and that is the job I have been doing for World Boxing,
not just at this tournament, but at several of their tournaments, being the lead
instructor, just like at Glasgow (Commonwealth Games), where I performed
the same task.
Beckles, who is presently the Caribbean’s instructor for World Boxing, commended
GBA for the initiative.
The Guyana Boxing Association has taken it as their prerogative or main
objective to ensure that not only do they upgrade their present crop of
officials, but they have also brought in a new set of officials, including those
from the prison service and the army.
He says this country has for years been at the forefront of training for officials, and
it is a privilege to work along with the GBA to ensure that their priority is met with
regard to boxing.
“Guyana is among those who I would personally say have some of the better
referees in the Caribbean. I would put them alongside Trinidad. It is
wonderful to know nearly every year Guyana updates itself and is official with
the current world standards, and this year it is no less. In fact, this is a most
important year because the cycle starts for the LA Olympics.”
Beckles says knowing the new rules will also prove beneficial for active boxers
who are looking to qualify for future games and develop themselves.
President of the GBA Steve Ninvalle says Guyanese athletes and the sports sector
must match the pace at which the country is growing infrastructure-wise.
“We at the executive of the Guyana Boxing Association must make sure now
that we have a little more resources so that the safety of our athletes and
officials remains paramount.
“That said, one of the main reasons that we have Mister Beckles here is to upgrade and pass on the new rules and regulations and statutes that world boxing has passed out.”
Ninvalle said that the safety of boxers is in the hands of referees, and if they are
not armed with the required rules and know how to apply them, then GBA could
be an accessory before the fight.”
He said officials must understand the privilege they have, as many other regional
countries would be hard pressed for the chance to work with and learn from Beckles
at this crucial junction.
The event features close to 40 referee judges from across the nation.
Beckles is here for the week and after the training, will oversee this year’s edition
of the Winfield Brathwaite Caribbean Schoolboy Championships from August 20th
to 22nd at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.