Clifton Moore, the head trainer of the Vergenoegen Boxing Gym in Region #3 became the latest technical officer of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) to be globally certified after he successfully completed the International Boxing Association (IBA) Online 1 Star Coaching Course.

Moore’s success was confirmed and communicated by an official release from IBA Development Officer Chris Roberts OBE to GBA President Steve Ninvalle.

Coach Moore is the second coach under the umbrella of the GBA to participate in IBA certification training, after three-star trainer Sebert Blake was afforded the opportunity to participate in the IBA Cutman Technician Course, which was conducted at the Women’s World Championship in New Delhi, India from March 15 – 31.

Moore was among 39 participants at the prestigious forum. The countries that were represented included Bermuda, Iran, New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, England, Cape Verde, Belgium, Italy, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zambia.

The course ran from April 4 – 12 via the online platform Zoom. The IBA 1 Star Coaching Certification is the beginning pathway for emerging trainers to ascertain international accreditation under the governing body.

GBA President Ninvalle in an invited comment said, “This is another developmental chapter in our playbook, and represents another investment in the longterm growth of our proud sport. As an association, our mandate is to develop our technical officers. This decree is an unwavering pledge as better equipped and knowledgeable officials will produce talented students and the only way we can equip our trainers with the required knowledge in an ever-evolving environment is through international certification and training which is an immutable best practice of the modern world.”

According to Ninvalle, “The GBA understands that the development of the sport is a collective effort and can only be achieved with trainers through certification and boxers via international competition. Guyana, evidenced by its performances in the region, is a leading light in the English-speaking Caribbean, and in order for us to maintain that edge and dominance, we must strive to empower the personnel that is pivotal in sustaining and maintaining that reality. Trainers are an important cog and we will continue our developmental agenda of developing their requisite and respective faculties, which only benefit the discipline. Congratulations to Mr. Clifton Moore. May this be the first of many international glories,” Ninvalle ended.