The Nagaland Basketball Association (NBA) has proudly announced the certification of Imkumnaro Pongen from Mongsenyimti village and Sentitoshi Jamir from Chungtia village as nationally recognized B-Level referees.

Their achievement comes after outstanding performances in the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) Referees Examination during the 39th Youth National Basketball Championship 2024 held in Kolkata. With this milestone, Nagaland now has four nationally certified B-Level referees, reflecting the state’s growing standards in basketball officiating and development.

Imkumnaro Pongen: From Player to Referee

Imkumnaro Pongen has consistently demonstrated excellence on and off the court. She has:

• Won Gold with Intermingle Club at the N.I Jamir Memorial Basketball Tournament 2024 in Mokokchung

• Secured Bronze with the Mokokchung team at the Nagaland Olympics 2024 in Dimapur

• Represented Nagaland at the Northeast Olympic Games 2022 in Shillong

Her transition from a player to a certified referee highlights her dedication, leadership, and commitment to advancing basketball in Nagaland.

Sentitoshi Jamir: Academic Rigor Meets Sporting Excellence

Sentitoshi Jamir combines academic knowledge with athletic experience. Key highlights include:

• Pursuing a Diploma in Sports Coaching at Netaji Subhas Southern Centre, Bengaluru

• Representing Nagaland at the 73rd Senior National Basketball Tournament in Ludhiana, Punjab

• Winning Bronze at the North East Games 2024 in Chumukedima

• Completing a Six-Week Certificate Course in Sports Coaching, enhancing his technical skills

His achievements strengthen the technical and officiating standards in Nagaland basketball, serving as a model for aspiring referees.

NBA’s Statement on Referee Certification

The NBA emphasized that the induction of Imkumnaro and Sentitoshi will raise the quality of officiating in the state. The association also highlighted that their success will inspire emerging referees and young athletes in Nagaland and across the Northeast.

The NBA congratulated both referees, expressing confidence in their continued contributions to building a vibrant, values-driven basketball culture in the state.