Craig named Best Referee at prestigious PAL International Boxing Championships

Guyanese referee Germain Craig has received international recognition after being named the Best Referee at the 48th Annual National PAL International Boxing Championships in Oxnard, California.
The prestigious tournament, held from August 24–29 at the Oxnard PAL Gymnasium, brought together some of the best amateur boxers in the United States and international competitors, with athletes between the ages of eight and 40 competing across novice and open divisions.
The championships featured boxers representing 13 countries, while the officiating panel included referees from several parts of the world.
Craig was the only Guyanese official selected to officiate at the tournament, making his recognition as the competition’s outstanding referee a significant achievement for both the official and Guyana’s amateur boxing fraternity.
Speaking following his return to Guyana, Craig said the award was a reflection of the work and dedication he has invested in developing himself as a referee while also acknowledging the role of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) in his progress.

“All my officiating is finally paying off, but this is not the final stop for me as an official. I’m trying to reach the highest level in boxing, not in the Caribbean or Guyana only, but in the world,” Craig said.
Craig was among a number of local officials who benefited from a referee and officials development programme hosted by the GBA with three-star referee assessor James Beckles.
He believes the regular training and exposure have played an important role in preparing Guyanese officials to operate at higher levels internationally.
According to Craig, “This seminar that Mr [Steve] Ninvalle has every year with Mr Beckles is very important. He [Beckles] updates us on the new rules because things change in the world. So that training programme also helped to prepare me, because I left Guyana after the Caribbean School Boys and Juniors tournament and went to the tournament in the US, and it made things much easier for me.”
Craig’s ambitions, however, extend beyond his own development. He wants to see more Guyanese referees gain international exposure and believes local officials should be encouraged to pursue opportunities outside Guyana and the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, GBA President Steve Ninvalle congratulated Craig on the accomplishment, describing it as an important achievement for the association and Guyana’s amateur boxing programme.
Ninvalle hailed Craig as one of the country’s best referees and said he believes the official has a promising future in the sport. He noted that Craig has consistently demonstrated commitment to boxing and a willingness to learn and improve.
The GBA President also expressed hope that Craig’s achievement will inspire other local officials to remain committed to their development and pursue opportunities on the international stage.
Ninvalle said the GBA will continue to play its part in developing referees and other officials, recognising that strong officiating is an essential component of the continued growth and professionalism of amateur boxing in Guyana.