FIBA Referee Workshop sets stage for AmeriCup Caribbean Qualifiers

With just days remaining before the start of the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers, the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) is ensuring every aspect of the tournament is held to international standards, beginning with the officials who will oversee the games.
On Monday, July 6, the GBF will host an intensive referee workshop at the Guyana National Bureau of Standards’ Training Room One, bringing together between 12 and 30 locally selected referees for a full day of instruction designed to elevate the standard of officiating ahead of the highly anticipated regional tournament.
The workshop, which runs from 09:00h to 19:00h, will be conducted by respected FIBA Referee Instructor Felipe Valenzuela of Chile.
Renowned for his work in developing officials across the Americas, Valenzuela will guide participants through the latest FIBA refereeing principles, mechanics, and performance expectations, ensuring local officials are fully aligned with the governing body’s modern approach to officiating.
The programme forms part of FIBA’s strategic initiative to strengthen its National Federations through education and technical development.
Among its key objectives are aligning referees with FIBA’s global game philosophy, identifying and preparing potential future FIBA-certified officials, and reinforcing the refereeing trends outlined in the FIBA Referees Manual.
Sessions will begin at 10:00 am, with a two-hour lunch break from 13:00h to 15:00h, before concluding at 19:00h.
The intensive schedule reflects the importance FIBA places on quality officiating, particularly at major international events.
The workshop comes at a pivotal moment for Guyanese basketball. From July 8 to 12, Guyana will welcome 10 Caribbean nations to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall for the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers, marking the country’s return as a host of elite international basketball for the first time since 1994.
The tournament will feature two groups of five teams, with only the winner of each group advancing to the next stage of the AmeriCup qualification process. More than 250 players, coaches, and officials are expected in Georgetown for the five-day competition, making it one of the largest basketball events ever staged in Guyana.
With the quality of officiating expected to face close scrutiny, the referee workshop represents a significant investment in the tournament’s success.
Rather than serving solely as hosts, Guyanese referees will have the opportunity to play an integral role in delivering a competition that meets FIBA’s exacting standards.
President of the GBF Michael Singh has consistently stressed the federation’s commitment to staging a first-class tournament, and the investment in referee education underscores that vision.
The workshop is being coordinated by GBF Technical Director Sileena Arjune and represents another important milestone as Guyana continues to establish itself as a leading destination for international basketball in the Caribbean.