The Haynes Basketball Foundation confirmed yesterday that former national point guard, Lugard Mohan and former player Aubrey Younge are International Basketball Federation (FIBA) referees after completing the course.
FIBA had informed the United States-based Foundation after it had written to inquire on the two officials’ status. Mohan and Younge completed the FIBA Officials Certification Clinic last month in Colorado, USA.
The international federation website confirmed Mohan and Younge’s licence number but they are yet to formally receive their badges. Both officials expressed elation over the revelation when contacted yesterday.
“We are celebrating; we are overjoyed. We expected it but knowing is better than waiting in suspense,” Younge indicated, adding that they will sit down and plan a clinic for other local referees to bring them on par with FIBA.
Guyana now has three FIBA certified referees with Mohan and Younge’s success. Sherwin Henry is the other FIBA qualified referee. “We have some knowledge to pass on and we will definitely plan a course,” Younge continued. Mohan believes that the work for them now begins given the contentious state of officiating in Guyana.
“Like I said before, the work now starts. Certification is just phase one. The development of basketball is what is important,” Mohan, who is a two-time CARICOM Basketball Championships All-Star, told this newspaper.
Mohan is the third national player to become a FIBA accredited referee, following Speedy Franklin and Cecil Chin. Kaieteur Sport joins the Haynes Foundation in expressing congratulations to Mohan and Younge. (Edison Jefford)