NBBF North-East zone to hold referees training ahead of new season

 The North-East Zone of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has concluded plans for a referees’ training course ahead of the new basketball season.

Afolabi Oni, NBBF’s Media Officer, said in a statement on Wednesday that the training would have participants from Adamawa, Yobe, Borno and Taraba, as well as Gombe and Bauchi states.

”The course will hold from Friday to Tuesday at the University of Maiduguri and one of Nigeria’s elite and FIBA-badged referees, Kingsley Ojeaburu, will be joined by Olayiwola Alimi and Ikuomola Afolabi as resource persons,” he said.

Oni said the training was geared towards improving the knowledge of referees on new laws.

”It will also provide opportunities for interested stakeholders who may want to pursue a career in officiating,” he said.

Oni also quoted Abba Kaka, the North-East Zonal Representative on the NBBF board, as saying the unique opportunity was one of the numerous programmes lined up to improve the game.

“Many people in our zone have been clamoring for an opportunity like this to improve their knowledge as a referee.

”Others who are either retired basketball players or lovers of the game are also trying to transit into becoming referees and they will need a platform which we are gladly providing.

“Not everybody can go to Lagos or Abuja to attend trainings organised by the federation at the centre. That is why we are bringing it closer to our people at no cost,” Kaka was quoted as saying.

Kaka also said the merits of having referees with sound knowledge of the game could not be over-emphasised.

“The level of referees will determine how good the league is. Referees who are on top of their game will handle matches well, which will rub off positively on players and coaches.

“If Nigeria has 20 to 30 FIBA-badged referees, I don’t think it is too much. We are blessed and talented as a nation. All we need is to harness these talents for global consumption and relevance,” he was further quoted as saying.