James Beckles, Trinidad and Tobago’s Three-Star Referees/Judges Assessor said yesterday that the aim of the Guyana Boxing Association and himself was to have more qualified referee/judges available to the sport.
Beckles, who yesterday commenced the first of two important forums for amateur boxing at the National Racquet Centre, said his intention was to upgrade the skills of the current Referees/Judges, as well as introduce new referees to the sport.
“It is the hope that in this seminar we can upgrade our skills and introduce some new referees. What I’m looking forward to; the last time we had a seminar, we were actually able to put a couple of Referees into the ring after only two days or three days of training. I am hoping that we can do that again with some of you aspiring referees,” he declared as the first training seminar commenced.
President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle, said that it was a most opportune time to stage the seminars as the prestigious Winfield Braithwaite Schoolboys and Juniors, Regional boxing championships are set to box off tomorrow.
“This is the most opportune time to host the seminars during the Winfield Braithwaite tournament and we are also preparing referees for IBA exams later this year,” said Ninvalle.
Ninvalle said that it was hoped that Referees/Judges in Guyana would benefit from the seminars and continue their upward mobility.
“Mr. Beckles is a Three-Star Referee/Judge, the highest they have in IBA right now and we would hope, through courses such as these, that we can start seeing Guyanese now moving to One-Star, Two-Stars and even to Three-Stars.
“I think we have competent people, I think we have people with the energy, we just need to make sure that we work that plan,” Ninvalle a member of the world governing body IBA stated.
Ninvalle said that because the GBA was committed to helping Referees/Judges improve their qualifications, it will allow its One-Star Referees/Judges to attend a Two Star course and examination later this year.
Beckles, who has the distinction of being the only Three/Star Referee/Judge Assessor within the English-speaking Caribbean, yesterday educated the respective participants on the recent rule changes that were implemented by the IBA.
He will also administrate a beginner seminar to emerging and aspiring participants.
Practical evaluations will take during the morning period at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, whilst the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue, will serve as the setting for the theoretical assessments.
The joint services, namely the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, and the Guyana Prison Service have signed on to participate in the respective seminars.
Ninvalle said the two forums form part of the GBA’s developmental apparatus.
“As an association, we inherently recognize that the advancement of Referees and Judges, who are pivotal members of the sport’s human capital, is synonymous with the growth and development of the discipline.
“This is the soft infrastructure that we have continued to enhance and evolve each year. Boxing cannot develop without the advancement of its technical and judicial officers. We are aware of such a reality which is a best practice within the international sporting fraternity, and simply not an actuality or element of boxing. This is development personified,” he concluded.
