ABIDJAN (Côte d’Ivoire) – From April 8 to 11, the city of Abidjan played host to a gathering designed to shape the future of basketball officiating in Africa.
Twenty-two referees from thirteen co
untries across the continent gathered for an intensive training camp as part of FIBA Africa's development program.
The camp was designed to hone their technical skills and prepare a new generation of African officials for the demands of international competition.
As the level of basketball in Africa continues to rise, with an increase in talent and competitive opportunities, the quality of officiating must keep pace.
The training camp was designed to give them the tools for better officiating, as well as designed to identify promising referees, strengthen their skills and lay the foundation for a continent-wide standard of excellence.
The participants, men and women, representing various African countries, arrived with a common ambition.
Mali, Cape Verde, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Togo and Benin each sent one representative. Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal and Nigeria sent two representatives each. Côte d'Ivoire, the host nation, sent five referees to the camp.
Their days in Abidjan were filled with theoretical and practical sessions carefully designed to challenge and enhance their skills and knowledge.
The campers worked and trained under the guidance of two instructors, Mathurin N'Guessan from Côte d'Ivoire, who has conducted several refereeing workshops throughout the continent, and Leslie Chérubin from Mauritius, who has officiated at major FIBA events and was promoted to referee instructor.
Communication, positional discipline and the mental toughness needed to make quick decisions under pressure were among the topics covered during the camp.
The referees also reviewed the rules and spirit of the game. They practiced two- and three-man coverage systems, watched video clips of real game situations, and participated in physical conditioning designed specifically for the demands of officiating.
They also participated in simulations and group discussions, all designed to promote consistency and command on the field.
The officials were evaluated during the camp. They also took theoretical and physical tests to assess their stamina. On-court evaluations gave the instructors insight into each official's ability to manage live game dynamics. Participation and progress were monitored throughout the four-day camp.
By the end of the camp, the instructors had identified participants with international potential. A follow-up program is already in the works. The focus will be on continued mentorship and preparation for future FIBA licensing opportunities.
This zonal training course for African referees aims to fill a gap in the continental training of referees and to maximize the chances of success for African candidates in the upcoming Game Official Licensing. A second zonal course will be held in June 2025.
FIBA