Sebert Blake has added another accolade to his post retirement resume’.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) Three-Star coach is now officially an IBA Certified Cut Technician, the first Guyanese to have such a distinguished accreditation.
Blake, who participated in the IBA Cut Technician course while doubling as coach at the Women’s World Championship in India last month, was officially presented with his signed certificate yesterday by President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle.
Blake scored in the 90th percentile to finish amongst the highest successful candidates.
Following the presentation, Blake told this publication that he was grateful for the opportunity and thanked the GBA and Ninvalle for providing another avenue for the success of the fistic sport locally. “I am grateful for the opportunity and I want to say thanks to the President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle.”
Blake also thanked his employers, Guyana Power and Light (GPL) for giving him time off to attend to international duties and also thanked his family and everyone who contributed to his new expertise.
Blake said he will use the knowledge gained to help bring success since his expertise will be needed at critical times. He added that his historic achievement is a positive for boxing in Guyana and will share his knowledge with other coaches.”
Meanwhile GBA head Ninvalle said, “This is another tangible achievement, representation, and overall testament of human development by the GBA in its technical officers. Coach Blake is already in exalted company as one of a minute cadre of Three-Star coaches in the Caribbean and now adds to his developing portfolio by becoming the first Guyanese to secure such a prestigious certification.”
Ninvalle added that “2023 has been earmarked as a year for progressive development and the GBA will continue in this evolutionary route. The discipline, but more specifically the boxers and the coaches, will be provided with the avenues and tools to enhance and hone their individual faculties. In particular, the formation of an assembly line of competent technical officers is a major objective of the association, with Coach Blake simply serving as the start or template of such a procedure.”
GBA Technical Director, Terrence Poole will be the second Guyanese to participate in the significant programme which will be conducted at the Men’s World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from May 1-14.
