Guyana’s Youth Men’s National Team Coach and former FIBA Referee Lugard Mohan and Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Table Official Shanna Chester are the first male and female Guyanese to be approved by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) as FIBA Commissioners.
A release from the GABF on Monday explained the sport’s world governing body recently confirmed their approval after Lugard, and Shanna successfully completed a series of educational training and tests with both passing with perfect scores.
Guyana was awarded one FIBA Commissioner license for the 2021-2023 period, and after the GABF General Secretary and FIBA 3×3 Commission member Patrick Haynes wrote to the FIBA Technical Commission requesting an additional allocation for a female Commissioner license which represents one of FIBA’s pillars – “Women in Basketball” the additional license spot was awarded to Guyana and Chester was nominated by the GABF to complete the course.
In the official letter affirming their approval, the FIBA Technical Commission analysed the data provided by the GABF as part of the licensing of FIBA Commissioners for the period 2021-2023 along with their test scores, “We hereby inform you that the FIBA Technical Commission has decided to issue a FIBA Commissioner License to the candidates selected by the Guyana Basketball Federation.”
“In accordance with the FIBA Internal Regulations, the FIBA license will be valid for two years, at as of September 1, 2021, and will expire on August 31, 2023 (subject to the indicated in Articles 3-173 and 3-227 of the FIBA Internal Regulations).”
As FIBA Commissioners, they will represent and acts on behalf of the GABF General Secretary ensure that the games are conducted in accordance with the spirit and the letter of the Official Basketball Rules; Ensure the full cooperation of the Referees, game organisers, and the teams; Provide information to the Referees if they are requested to do so during or after the game; and be primarily responsible for the smooth running of the scorers’ table, being seated between the timekeeper and the scorer.
The FIBA Commissioner has full authority to resolve any problems that may arise between all parties involved. In particular, they have the right to require adequate police (or professional security service) presence to ensure the smooth and sportsmanlike running of the game.
Having completed their duties, the FIBA Commissioner shall make a report on the competition and send it to the GABF within the given deadline, together with all required documents.
The GABF expressed thanks to Mohan and Chester for their efforts made in completing and passing with distinction in attaining the FIBA Commissioner Licenses, and they forward to continuing to work together in the service of arbitration in Guyana and the Caribbean region.
