BEIRUT (Lebanon) - The FIBA Regional Office-Asia’s efforts to improve game officiating began on a grand note in the New Year with a successful referee workshop being held in Vietnam, the first of its kind in more than 5 years.

The three-day (Jan 17-19) workshop conducted at the Ho Chi Minh city under the Vietnamese Basketball Federation saw 26 participants.

The leadership and the technical officials of the VBF were thrilled to host the referee workshop.

“Vietnam has long sought to deepen its integration into the international basketball community, especially after losing 3-4 years of momentum due to the pandemic. The presence of FIBA experts marks an important step in reconnecting with the global network and fostering stronger ties with the Regional Office-Asia,” said its vice-president Ba Hung MAI.

“I found this clinic to be incredibly valuable, especially with experts from FIBA conducting thorough and well-prepared sessions. I learned many new insights, particularly about the FIBA standards, which are essential for referees,” said FIBA Referee Pham Trung Kien LE.

VBF’s Referee Instructor Quoc Tuan LE, Former FIBA Referee and FIBA Game Commissioner, said, ““This clinic has brought immense value to me personally and to Vietnamese referees as a whole. The knowledge and techniques shared were carefully guided and aligned with modern FIBA standards, helping referees update their skills and adopt contemporary practices.”

The participants underwent sessions in theory as well as practical training along with being observed during live games.

In the theory sessions, they were taken through topics ranging from Rules and Interpretation to Modern Officiating Techniques. In the practical sessions they were trained in subjects such as IOT, 3PO and Mechanics.

On each of the three days of the workshop the participants officiated in local U18/U20 level games with their officiating being under observation.

Ba Hung Mai looked at the workshop as a first step in boosting the standards of the sport in the country.

“While basketball is thriving at the grassroots level in Vietnam, advancing toward professionalism requires continued support from FIBA Asia. Clinics like this provide valuable knowledge and inspiration, and we hope for more opportunities like these,” he said.

He also promised to bring about a structured organization to bring more competence to the referees in the country.

“The Vietnam Basketball Federation is committed to professionalizing the referee workforce and creating sustainable income opportunities, enabling them to fully pursue their careers and contribute to the growth of Vietnamese basketball,” he said.

“Vietnam must also focus on building resources, identifying talented individuals, and enhancing communication skills to strengthen the sport. While referees are eager to learn, their professional journey is challenging due to other commitments,” Ba Hung Mai said.

The need to instill a professional approach towards uplifting the standards of officiating in Vietnam was not lost upon the officials.

“I have personally gained valuable insights from this clinic and am committed to applying these learnings to the training and development of referees for the Vietnam Basketball Federation in the future. This is a significant step toward enhancing the professionalism and growth of basketball officiating in Vietnam,” Quoc Tuan LE said.

Pham Trung Kien LE echoed: “The opportunity to attend a clinic led by FIBA experts is crucial for aligning with international standards. It not only enhances our technical knowledge but also supports the overall development of basketball in Vietnam. This is a great step forward in strengthening both the professionalism of referees and the growth of basketball in our country.”

FIBA