GBOC accused of holding basketball at ransom

Oct 29, 2013 Sports

– Chin tenders resignation as President

By Edison Jefford
The Guyana Basketball Officials’ Council (GBOC) reneged on a decision to officiate in the Yolo Entertainment ‘Super Sevens’ basketball tournament on Burnham Court, which forced organisers of the competition to effectively use replacement officials.
Kaieteur Sport understands that GBOC had agreed in principle to manage the officiating of Yolo Entertainment’s novelty event, which bounced off on Sunday at the Burnham Court. Kirk Jardine said he had spoken directly to

Cecil Chin

GBOC on Saturday at the Sports Hall.
The Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) has sanctioned Yolo Entertainment’s ‘Super Sevens’ and was at its wits’ end to understand why GBOC would pull out at late notice in such a manner as to leave organisers literally in a quandary.
This officials’ council was accused of holding basketball at ransom if referees and table officials’ stipend cannot be guaranteed before. In other words, GBOC wants to be paid before any work is done, which is improper business, its accusers claim.
The issue cannot be financial since the GABA administration has increased the amount of money paid to officials since taking office this year. The Georgetown sub-association was very confused as to what is the primary cause of the snub from the council.
Contacted yesterday, GBOC President, Cecil Chin said he may be accused of many things but he is not a liar and abhors deceit and hypocrisy. In that regard, Chin stated that the aforementioned does not bear any semblance to what really transpired in the matter; he said he has since tendered his resignation.
Chin stated that Jardine agreed to pay half of the officials’ stipend before the commencement of the tournament following a meeting with him, the GABA and two officials. Jardine agreed to pay half of the sum agreed before October 24 and the remainder before October 30; Chin said those were the conditions of GBOC’s involvement in the event, which was not honoured.
Chin said Jardine never spoke to him on Saturday at the Sports Hall as he claimed. “He (Jardine) saw us at

Kirk Jardine

the Sports Hall and he said nothing to us. The onus was on him to say something, but he said nothing to us. He spent five minutes or so then left,” Chin informed.
The once FIBA-accredited Chin said the issue of having their stipend secured before the event is a decision that was taken following the last tournament, the Inter-Ward, where they were slighted even though previous arrangements were made with the organisers.
Chin said that his referees took a consensus decision to not officiate in tournaments that they will not be able to guarantee compensation. He said he was merely supporting a consensus when they opted to not participate in Sunday’s ‘Super Sevens’ opener.
“I told Mike Singh (GABA President) to reschedule but I know they made lots or preparations; I have since apologised to him because I should have called him before to let him know that Yolo Entertainment did not come through as scheduled,” Chin believes.
But nevertheless, he said that he has written main stakeholders informing of his resignation from the organisation that fellow FIBA referee, Lugard Mohan formed to bring some structure and the right configuration to officiating in Guyana.