Fortey participants made up of 39 males and a female have completed a two-day Refugees/Judges Orientation course put together by the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) at The Gym in Accra.
The programme, according to officials of the GBA, was to upgrade the referees and officials and forms part of the GBA’s programme to improve the knowledge base of the officials.
Experienced boxing referee and Vice President of the GBA, Roger Barnor, 5-Star IBA rated boxing coach Dr. Ofori Asare, veteran ring official J. A. Annan and the GBA President, Abraham Neequaye were the Resource Persons for the two-day event that ended yesterday.
Also present were the Deputy Director of Promotions of the GBA, Mr. Michael Tetteh (Goldenmike), Deputy Technical Director, Percy Commey, GBA Board Member Carl Lokko, Mubarak Nanor, a match maker and Coach Akai Nettey of Attoh Quarshie Gym.
Former President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), Mr. George Lamptey was also part of the course.
Boxers Holy Dorgbetor, Samuel Quaye and Cann Neequaye were made to stage demonstrations which were used to take the officials through some rudiments of the sport.
Addressing the participants, Mr. J.A. Annan advised the young and upcoming referees and judges to always be preparedbecause their work, which includes determining the winner of a fight, was no joke.
“It’s important for referees and judges to be strong and be on top of their jobs. Standing in front of expectant crowds is not an easy thing. Sometimes the sight of a huge crowd in tensed fights can be very intimidating but when you are focused and fully concentrated, you will have no reason to be scared.”
He reminded the referees and the judgesof their commitment to be neutral, consistent and maintain a high level of integrity and avoid arguments with the fans.
On his part, Roger Barnor said what makes a referee competent and a master of his trade is his ability to command the ring and be familiar with basic principles like stopping an action, breaking boxers or stopping fights.
According to him, the boxing scores come from power punches and jabs, effectiveness and aggression which makes 75 per cent and ring generalship which constitutes 25 per cent.
He advised them to have a third eye which is theear, stressing that the life of the boxer was paramount.
The GBA President, Mr Abraham Kotei Neequaye expressed happiness about the attendance and reminded participants that only 20 participants would be selected to take part in an upcoming seminar.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
