Upgrade of knowledge, and passing on of new rules high on the agenda as GBA launches Level One Referee/Judges certification workshop

Aug 16, 2026 Sports

Kaieteur Sports – Several aspiring and established boxing officials are set to strengthen their knowledge of the sport as the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) launched its 2026 Referee/Judges Level One Certification Workshop yesterday at the National Racquet Centre.

The workshop forms part of the GBA’s continued efforts to strengthen its officiating pool and ensure that local referees and judges remain abreast of evolving international standards.

Upgrade of knowledge, and passing on of new rules high on the agenda as GBA launches Level One Referee/Judges certification workshop

Some new faces among the participants present at the opening day of the GBA Level One Referee/Judges Certification Workshop

The seminar is being spearheaded by world-acclaimed Olympic and World Boxing referee instructor and evaluator James Beckles, who has returned to Guyana to share his expertise with the next generation of officials.

Among the participants are seasoned referees and judges, active boxers, as well as members of the disciplinary services, all seeking to deepen their understanding of the rules, regulations and technical requirements governing the sport.

The workshop is focused primarily on updating participants on the latest rules, regulations and statutes while equipping them with the knowledge and judgement required to officiate safely and effectively.

With the safety of boxers often resting in the hands of officials inside the ring, the importance of proper training and sound decision-making cannot be overstated.

GBA President, Steve Ninvalle and Olympic/World Boxing referee instructor and evaluator James Beckles engaging workshop participants yesterday during the opening day of the Week-long Boxing Seminar.

Guyana has established itself as one of the Caribbean’s leading nations in boxing officiating, with the local association regularly conducting training and certification programmes to ensure its officials remain aligned with international standards.

Beckles expressed satisfaction with the GBA’s continued investment in officiating development.

“It’s wonderful to know that the Guyana Boxing Association has taken it as their prerogative and main objective to ensure that not only do they upgrade their present crop of officials, but also create avenues to develop new batches of referee/judges,” Beckles said.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle also urged participants to make full use of the knowledge being imparted during the workshop, stressing the importance of building a strong pool of officials as Guyana’s boxing programme continues to expand.

“We understand that participation and competition are necessary if we are to gauge where our nursery is, and we will continue to do so,” Ninvalle said.

He added that the association must continue to strengthen its resources to ensure the safety and development of both athletes and officials remain priorities.

“We, at the executive of the Guyana Boxing Association, must make sure now that we have a little-more resources, and that the safety of our athletes and officials remains paramount,” Ninvalle added.

The GBA president further noted that as Guyana continues to experience economic growth, the benefits should be reflected across the sporting landscape, including boxing.

The certification exercise comes at an important time for local boxing, with Guyana preparing to host the Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys Boxing Championship. The newly trained officials will therefore provide an expanded pool of qualified referee/judges capable of contributing to the smooth and professional staging of regional competitions.

The GBA continues to place emphasis on both athlete development and the upgrading of technical personnel, with workshops such as the Level One certification programme serving as an important part of its long-term strategy to raise the standard of boxing administration and officiating in Guyana.

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certification workshop, Guyana Boxing Association, judges, Level One Referee

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