Speaking at the closing ceremony, secretary general of The Gambia Basketball Association, Alieu Nyan, explained that game official licence allows a basketball referee to officiate internationally at the highest level.
He added that the FIBA game’s officials licence has various colours, noting that at the moment The Gambia only have one white licence holder (Baboucarr Saho) who was the best overall referee in Senegal last year.
“You should have a domestic level one, level two and level three FIBA game’s officials licence before you get to the colours,” he said.
SG Nyan stated that since they took mantle of the GBA leadership they have been working towards standardising basketball across all levels as well as making basketball the premier sports in The Gambia.
He admitted that basketball is currently third in the country behind football and volleyball but noted that they will push to be number one in the country.
He said in doing so, they have to properly organise the sport which can be done by the referees.
Mr Nyan thanked the course instructor for his patience while urging the referees to continue improving themselves.
Head of referees committee for GBA, Sang Marie Sambou, said they are anticipating seeing some improvement in terms of officiating after the training.
“I hope that you will be better referees moving forward,” he stated while also calling on referees to dress smart when officiating games.
“With the help of the GBA we hope to get standard uniforms,” he said.
Mr. Sambou thanked the instructor for loving his job, noting that it is only somebody who loves his job does it wholeheartedly.
He commended Mr Falakx for giving all during the training, adding that Falaks told him that he will contact him any time he has a doubt over an issue regarding refereeing.
He lauded the GBA for organising the course.
According to him, they have more table officials than referees and encouraged some of referees to start blowing the whistle.
A participant, Reuben Nying, said they were unconscious and incompetent at the beginning of the training but noted that they have now improved and will eventually get there.
He told his fellow referees that it is time for them to step up, adding that: “we cannot stay at the same place anymore, let us make best use of the knowledge gained.”
Second vice president of GBA, Mulie Jammeh, said it is difficult for the association to get referees because everyone wants to play.
Jammeh urged participants not to take the knowledge gained for granted.
He also urged them to teach others to take up refereeing.
Course instructor, Ahmed El Falakh, said he was pleased that participants learned something new during the course and hope that it would even be better the next time.
He urged them to utilise the knowledge gained.
