BEIRUT (Lebanon) - FIBA Regional Office-Asia continued its efforts to improve game officiating following a successful referees workshop last October 19–21 in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Thirty-five candidates, including 7 observers and 2 refereeing instructors, attended the three-day session made possible in cooperation with the Pakistan Basketball Federation (PBF).
The workshop included several subjects from both a theoretical and practical perspective including latest updates related to refereeing and basketball rules.
PBF Secretary General Khalid Bashir expressed excitement about how the program could improve the quality of games on local soil further.
"This refereeing workshop has provided an incredible journey of growth and knowledge for our referees," he said. "Over these three days, our referees have not only sharpened their skills but have also embraced the values of teamwork and fair play."
"The guidance of the FIBA Referee Instructor has been invaluable, and we are grateful for this opportunity to strengthen basketball officiating in Pakistan. We look forward to applying the insights gained to elevate our sport further," Mr. Bashir furthered.
PBF Referees' Board Secretary, Prof. Siraj Ul Haq Qureshi, believes, for his part, that the workshop would significantly contribute to their referees' growth.
"I wanted to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding FIBA Referee Workshop conducted in Islamabad," he said. "The opportunity to learn from a FIBA referee instructor was truly exceptional."
"The knowledge and experience shared during the workshop have significantly enriched our understanding of basketball officiating," Mr. Qureshi continued. "We are deeply appreciative of the time and effort both FIBA and the PBF have dedicated to our development."
The Regional Office is always making sure to do its part in helping elevate game officiating standards. Including the Pakistan session, it has already held nine referee clinics this year. The others were held in Oman, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Mongolia, and China.
Five refereeing workshops, on the other hand, were also organized in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and India. A referee camp was held in Iran as well.
