International Boxing Association (IBA) Three-Star Referee and Judge James Beckles will be in Guyana later this month to host a Referee and Judges Certification Programme, as the nation’s boxing profile continues to rise on the international stage.
Beckles, a highly respected official from Trinidad and Tobago, will lead the three-day workshop from May 29 to 31, according to a statement released by the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA).
He is no stranger to Guyana, having conducted several training programmes in the country over the years.
The certificate programme, designed to develop and enhance the quality of officiating in Guyana, will combine classroom-based theory with hands-on practical sessions. Beckles, who holds the IBA’s highest officiating rank, will work directly with local referees, judges, and technical officials to bring them in line with international standards.
As part of the initiative, the GABA will stage a national boxing tournament from May 30 to June 1, which will act as a live assessment environment for the course participants. Beckles is set to oversee proceedings, evaluating the performance and decision-making of the aspiring officials in real-time competition settings.
The timing of the course reflects the continued growth of boxing in Guyana, with the nation enjoying a string of recent successes. Guyana captured the overall title at this year’s Caribbean Boxing Tournament, while Abiola Jackman made history by claiming gold in the Women’s 81kg division at the AMBC Elite Championships – the first Guyanese boxer to achieve such a feat at that level.
