Linden is virgin ground for boxing
- USA boxing official
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
November 15, 2002
Linden has a wealth of talent and the potential to produce officials of international standard, United States amateur boxing official Michael Rosario declared yesterday.
Rosario, who kicked off a five-day workshop for referees, judges, time keepers and weight masters, made the comment at a press conference and launching of the workshop held at the Guyana Mines and Metal Workers Union hall.
“This is virgin ground for boxing and we can have so many champions and so many Olympians coming out. You have very intelligent people here who can go on to become knowledgeable officials,” Rosario said.
The workshop, which is seen as a shot in the arm for the sport in Linden, is the brainchild of Dr. Michael Carryl who is from Linden but now resides in the United States.
However, participants from across Guyana are welcome to attend the sessions. Rosario, who said that he has over 300 amateur fights and once dabbled with coaching, highlighted the presence of a female in the first session he conducted and noted that it was a good indication.
He explained that while giving clinics around the world he has realised judging of boxing matches is a major concern. “My biggest challenge is judging. It is something that we have to stay on top of because we owe it to coaches and boxers to give fair decisions. Boxers depend on the judges to make the right decisions.”
Rosario’s wife, Mercedes, said that her visit here has been handicapped since she specialises in computer scoring which she had intended to teach officials here. “I thought that we would have been able to bring the computers here but unfortunately we could not,” Mrs Rosario said.
According to Mr. Rosario come January 1, 2003 the 20-point must system becomes obsolete. He advised that local officials should keep abreast with the changes.
He stated that although Guyana does not have the computerised system officials could still be educated on its use. “If we are invited to Guyana again we will bring down the computer system. I like the computer system because it takes personality and favouritism out of boxing,” Rosario said.
Rudolph Torrington Vice President of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association said that the workshop had the blessings of his organisation which supports the effort being made by the UDABA.
Torrington said that the GABA pushed back activities planned for this weekend to facilitate UDABA holding of a Under-16 card scheduled for tomorrow at the Christianburg hardcourt.
“In order to make sure that their (UDABA) activities go ahead smoothly we decided to postpone ours to next weekend,” the GABA vice president said. Rosario said that once GABA grants permission he will issue certificates to all participants via the mail.
