Thirteen Guyanese on 2013 FIFA referees’ list

Local referees continue to hold their own in the football world with 13 making the 2013 FIFA international list.
Among these officials are first timers Sherwin Moore (referee) and Deon Feassal, who has been appointed as one of two Futsal referees. The other is Roy McArthur.
Heading the referees’ list are Stanley Lancaster, Sherwin Johnson and the lone female, Nicola Joseph.
The assistant referees are Dion Inniss, Venton Mars, Rollin Tappin and Trevor Porter.
The female assistant referees are Cynette Jeffrey, Odessa Caleb and Nakaysie Liverpool.
President (ag) of the Guyana Football Federation, Franklin Wilson, congratulated the officials for being appointed to the FIFA list, and challenged them to continue to strive to be the best and to maintain high standards.
Wilson noted that the officials have been rewarded for their commitment and dedication, adding that the job of keeping themselves in prime shape physically, and up-to-date with the laws of the game, is commendable.
“I would like to wish our officials the very best during 2013 and to remind them that they will continue to be under the eyes of all and sundry, so it is important for you all to be on top of your game. Train hard and consistent and ensure that you attend all the training sessions that would be put on from time to time.
“You are the standard bearers for the other officials so I expect you to be positive role models on and off the field of play, for the other officials to emulate,” Wilson said.
CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice President Jeffrey Webb, who was part of the FIFA team that visited Guyana recently, also offered congratulations to the officials.
“I would like to personally offer words of congratulations to the officials on their appointment and to let them know that they must continue to be disciplined and committed to the sport. Guyana has a rich legacy in producing top officials and you must all strive to maintain that positive legacy.”
Guyana’s leading official Diane Ferreira-James(referee) and Abdulla Hamid (assistant referee) both hung up their whistles at the end of 2012, after very satisfying careers. They both represented Guyana with a high degree of success and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) extended best wishes to both officials in their future endeavours.
The local governing body will recognise Ferreira-James and Hamid for their contributions to the game locally, regionally and internationally.
Ferreira-James has been appointed to the Caribbean Football Union Referees Committee and will serve until 2016, while Hamid has been appointed to the GFF Referees Committee which met last week, to chart the way forward for the development of officials.