A total of 39 participants from Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, and Uganda are the latest to be welcomed into the IBA officiating family, having completed the IBA 1-Star Referee and Judges course in Dar es Salaam.
Hosted by the Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT) at the Dar es Salaam Police Academy, the course was held over a week in early August.
Chairperson of the IBA Referees and Judges Committee, Sadie Duffy from Ireland, and Chairperson of the AFBC Referees and Judges Committee, Godavarisingh Rajcoomar oversaw the program.
Lukelo Willilo, President of the BFT, said such events will be of great benefit to the nation’s sport.
‘This training not only seeks to impart new knowledge and skills to our officials but also lays a foundation for the sustainable development of boxing in Tanzania,’ said Willilo.
‘We believe boxing has the potential to elevate Tanzania’s international status and investing in the training of our community is crucial. By partnering with the IBA, we are assured that these esteemed international instructors have provided our referees and judges with skills and insights that will open new global opportunities for them. We anticipate that the participants will gain the necessary expertise needed to represent Tanzania effectively in international competitions, ensuring professional and accurate officiating.’
So far there have been 22 IBA educational programs this year, including R&J, Coaches, ITO, R&J Evaluator, R&J Instructor courses.
The next training will be online 1-Star Coaches courses for Portugal and Brazil, along with a Champion’s Night course for R&Js, and a course for current ITOs to become IBA Technical Delegates in Assisi scheduled for 5-8 September.