Sebastian Suting becomes first BFI Referee from West Jaintia Hills

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 23, 2024

Sebastian Suting has become the first from West Jaintia Hills District to achieve the status of a Panel B BFI Referee.

In a letter to the General Secretary of the Meghalaya Basketball Association, the Secretary General of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) confirmed the approval of candidates for Panels A & B during their meetings in Chennai on June 8, 2024.

Among the successful candidates from Meghalaya are Sebastian Suting, Fring Frank Lyngodoh Lyngkhoi, and Rakbir Lishan B Sangma.

Sebastian officiated at the 73rd Junior National Basketball Championship in Bhubaneswar in February 2024. Fring Frank Lyngdoh Lyngkhoi and Rakbir Lishan B Sangma officiated at the 48th Sub-Junior National Basketball Championship in Puducherry in August 2023.

Expressing his gratitude, Sebastian thanked James Mardor Bamon, a BFI Panel A referee, for his support. Sebastian said, “Becoming the first national referee from West Jaintia Hills is a reward for the hardships I’ve faced. Knowing all the basketball rules and maintaining fitness are big challenges, especially with the lack of tournaments in our district.”

He urged players from West Jaintia Hills to practice regularly and requested the district’s Basketball Association to host interschool tournaments to foster young talent.