Powerlifting Federation embarks on training to increase referees pool

In its efforts to build its refereeing corps, the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) has embarked on a programme to train young and interested members of the fraternity to become referees, first nationally and possibly, IPF Category Two referees in the future.

The GAPLF’s Vice-President and General Secretary met with three aspiring referees who will be introduced to various aspects of refereeing at its 2026 Novices Championships to be held on Sunday March 8 at Saints Stanislaus College Auditorium.

These aspiring referees will be supervised by the senior referees while being exposed to some of the key aspects of refereeing, namely equipment check, coordinating the platform, jury duties, and importantly, setting up of the lifting platform for championship day.

These key elements will be observed in addition to actually performing refereeing duties for the three routines of powerlifting which are squat, bench-press and deadlift.

The Federation said in a release: “It is the GAPLF’s wish that they will remain interested and committed and soon migrate to more technical aspects of refereeing as championships unfold. We welcome them.”