The English-speaking Caribbean’s only boxing referee/judge assessor, Trinidadian James Beckles, on Wednesday morning commenced two training seminars that would benefit approximately 20 existing Guyanese referees/judges and those now being introduced to the job.
The Intermediary Workshop and beginners’ Forum are set to run concurrently up to Sunday, August 20th. During the simple opening ceremony, held at the National Racquet Center on Woolford Avenue, Beckles disclosed what he intends to achieve in the 5-day seminar.
“It is hoped 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 referees into the ring after only 2 days or 3 days of training. I am hoping that we can do that again with some of you aspiring referees,” Beckles shared. “And to make those who are in preparation for the IBA 2-Star exams later this year, we can also upgrade your skills.”
3-Star Referee/Judge assessor James Beckles
Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle was on hand to emphasize the importance of such a seminar and share why it is being facilitated now.
Ninvalle explained, “The reason why the Guyana Boxing Association saw it fit is because of the fact that we would not have had such a refresher course and such a seminar in a very long time. And since we would have been organizing and hosting the Winfield Braithwaite School Boys and Juniors tournament, we saw it fit, we saw it apposite, to make sure that we have this course for our referees/judges.
“I would really want to welcome the new persons, because of the fact that we need to start replenishing our supplies of referees/ judges, and I do hope that you would be with us for a very long time,” the GBA President further stated.
Ninvalle revealed that he intends to improve the qualifications of Guyana’s referees/judges, and affirmed the GBA’s commitment to this goal.
GBA President Steve Ninvalle
“During the course of this year, as Mr. Beckles would’ve said, we would be attempting to have those who are one stars move to two stars, and it is in our plan to make sure that we have — after those one stars would’ve gone to two stars — other referees and judges exposed, so that they can become one stars,” Ninvalle expressed.
“Mr. Beckles is a three- star referee/judge, that’s the highest they have in IBA right now; and we would hope, through courses such as these, that we can start see Guyanese now moving (from) one stars (to) two stars and 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 later assured, “And rest assured that the Guyana Boxing Association is willing, able, and capable to assist you in making sure that our plans can be reached.”
The seminar was hosted this week to coincide with the Winfield Braithwaite School Boys and Juniors tournament set for this weekend.
