FORTY local coaches, referees, and judges are expected to attend a two-week International Boxing Association (IBA) 1-Star course in Dar es Salaam later this month.

According to the secretary general of the Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT), Makore Mashaga, the course is likely to attract even more participants as it is open to nationals from all East African countries.

Mashaga declined to reveal the exact dates of the training, saying the federation is still waiting for IBA to confirm the main instructor for the course.

He explained that the IBA 1-Star course is designed to equip boxing officials with updated knowledge and practical skills, describing it as a structured pathway for developing coaches, referees, and judges from the national level up to the IBA 3-Star level.

“This IBA 1-Star coaches, referees, and judges course is an introductory training program aimed at improving the overall standard of boxing. So far, 40 local participants have registered, but we expect the number to grow since it is open to all East African nationals,” said Mashaga. 

“We are just waiting for IBA to announce the course dates and main instructors. However, the course will definitely take place this month.”

This marks the second consecutive year that BFT will host the IBA 1-Star course. Last year, a total of 39 participants from Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, and Uganda attended a similar training held in Dar es Salaam.

The instructors for last year’s course were Sadie Duffy, chairperson of the IBA Referees and Judges Committee, and Godavarisingh Rajcoomar, chairperson of the Africa Boxing Federation (AFBC) Referees and Judges Committee.