FIBA referee Michael Vino made Indian officials proud earlier this year when he was chosen to officiate the final of the 24th FIBA Asia Championship for Women at Omura (Japan) between China and Korea. Vino received his referring license in TN in 1993, and soon, received the All-India license with the BFI in 1996. In 2004, he achieved the highest status of a ref as he was named a FIBA referee. Before the 2011 championship in Japan, Vino had achieved international exposure in several tournaments as a referee, including at the New-Zealand Tour for India (2005), the Crown Prince Tournament in Thailand (2007), and at the 2009 FIBA Women’s ABC in Chennai, his home state.
Sharp-shooter Hareesh Koroth has been one of the most consistent stars of the Indian national team over the past few years. A strong shooter, ball-handler, and defender, the 6 foot 1 inch Koroth was born in Calicut (Kerala) and has been playing his basketball for IOB in Chennai (Tamil Nadu). Koroth has been a valuable addition to India's Senior Men's National Team, having starred in the 2010 Asian Games, the 2011 MAZ Qualifiers for the FIBA Asia Championship, and was India's leading scorer in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan (China).