As part of efforts to strengthen grassroots basketball development and build a new generation of certified match officials across Nigeria, the Amateur Basketball Academies (ABA) has graduated a new set of referees and technical officials under its pilot officiating training programme, codenamed “Dream Alive.”
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the programme at the weekend in Abuja, ABA President, Lucky Abubakar, said the initiative was designed to equip young Nigerians with the technical knowledge, practical skills and professional values required to officiate basketball at the highest standards.
Abubakar said the programme represented a major milestone in the development of basketball officiating in the country, adding that the future of the sport depends not only on talented players but also on competent referees, table officials, statisticians, commissioners, coaches and administrators.
He noted that participants underwent intensive theoretical and practical sessions covering the latest rules of basketball, officiating techniques, game management, communication skills and responsibilities of technical officials.
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He said, “When we assembled here a few days ago, we shared a vision to equip young, passionate Nigerians with the technical knowledge, practical skills and professional values required to officiate basketball at the highest standards. Today, I am proud to say that together we have achieved that objective.
“Our vision is to establish a nationwide network of qualified and confident basketball officials who will serve at grassroots competitions and progressively rise to state, national, continental and international assignments. This Abuja pilot programme is the first step towards achieving that vision.
The ABA President, who urged the graduands to uphold integrity and professionalism throughout their officiating careers, however assured them that ABA would continue organising refresher courses, advanced officiating clinics, mentorship programmes and practical assignments during its championships nationwide..
“Your whistle represents fairness. Your decisions must always reflect honesty, courage, discipline, impartiality and respect for the rules of the game. As ambassadors of the Amateur Basketball Academies, you are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards wherever you serve. Continue to study the rules, embrace continuous professional development, remain physically fit and always conduct yourselves with humility and excellence,” he added.
In his appreciation speech on behalf of the graduands, Jimoh Takiya, described the training as life-changing, saying many participants never realised the opportunities available in basketball officiating before joining the programme.
“Not everyone here has a background in refereeing. Some of us are players and for some of us this is our first time. My coach told me about it, and now that I’m here, I’ve seen the potential in refereeing. I’ve seen the potential to go international,” he said.
He noted that basketball required contributions from referees, technical officials and table officials in addition to players and coaches.
“I’d like to believe that from here on out, all of us have realised that we are way more valuable in the game of basketball. We can work on ourselves, take ABA to the international stage and take ourselves to the international stage. Thank you for giving us this opportunity and platform,” Takiya said.
Also speaking, Chairman of the FCT Basketball Caretaker Committee, HRH Eze Ifeanyi Eke, described the graduation as a historic achievement for Nigerian basketball, noting that many of the country’s experienced referees and coaches were approaching retirement.
“Today, history has been made. We are now getting new crops of referees. The referees that we have in basketball are ageing and we are worried. The coaches are ageing equally, so this programme is timely,” he said.
Eke said participants were drawn from different parts of the country, including Kano, Kogi, Benue and Enugu States, describing the national spread as evidence of the programme’s significance.
“I am very happy that this gesture is being championed by Professor Lucky Abubakar and Coach Emmanuel Oda. Today is a wonderful day and I am very happy to be part of it,” he added.
