DAKAR (Senegal) – Dakar, the host city of the Women's Basketball League Africa 2024, will also welcome 19 African referees from FIBA Africa Zones 1, 2 and 3.

Coming from 10 French-speaking countries - Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Togo and Tunisia - the young officials will benefit from a unique training camp that will take place in the Senegalese capital from December 12 to 15, 2024 as part of the Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) 2024.

They will come together for a first-of-its-kind training program designed to help them reach new heights in their careers.

This initiative, spearheaded by FIBA's Regional Office Africa, aims to provide participants with the essential tools for rigorous, high-performance officiating.

Under the guidance of renowned specialists, all experts in their field, participants will enjoy an intensive learning program that combines theory and practice and focuses on the demands of high-level competition.

With an emphasis on skill development, the program is part of an overall effort to raise the standard of basketball on the continent.

"This training camp is aimed at young female referees from member associations in Zones 1, 2 and 3. The training comes at a time when basketball is growing in popularity around the world, and Africa is no exception. However, women's officiating remains underrepresented in the region, with persistent challenges regarding feasibility, visibility and integration," said Mathurin N'Guessan, who will conduct technical sessions with the campers.

Beyond the technical aspect, this event has a strategic dimension in promoting a greater female presence in a field that is still predominantly male.

"We want to gradually close the gender gap in refereeing on the continent. The main objective of the training camp is to promote women's refereeing in Africa by developing the participants' skills in basketball refereeing through in-depth training in refereeing techniques and understanding of the game," he added.

This initiative also demonstrates the Regional Office's commitment to promoting gender equality in basketball.

By providing concrete opportunities for advancement, the organization is helping to bridge gaps but also aims to increase the value of female talent by giving greater visibility to their role in the basketball ecosystem.

Combined with the WBLA, this project further strengthens the impact of this competition as a true development lever for women's basketball across the continent.

This camp is not only about acquiring skills. It is also an important step towards the recognition and professionalization of women officials in Africa.

By giving them the tools to shine on the continental stage and beyond, this event promises to leave a lasting mark on African basketball.

"By the end of the camp, participants will fully understand and be able to apply the rules of the game and take on the role of referee with confidence and responsibility. They will also be able to demonstrate a better understanding of the game and team dynamics. They will also be expected to contribute to the development of women's refereeing in their respective countries," concluded N’Guessan.

Following the successful completion of the workshop for French-speaking referees, FIBA Regional Office Africa is proposing to hold another workshop for English-speaking referees as part of its development program.

FIBA