06 Sep 2023

Two Botswana Basketball Association (BBA) referees have earned the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) referee licences.

The duo, Dorothy Okatch and Thato Tema, both females, will now be able to officiate during the internal FIBA sanctioned basketball games.

Okatch, a veteran FIBA referee and the current Botswana sports referee of the year, has been awarded the prestigious green licence and she is Botswana’s first International female basketball referee.

She is also the first International referee for 3x3 in the Southern African Zone 6, making her the first male or female in Southern Africa to hold two international referee licenses in basketball.

Tema, who will be making her maiden entrance to the international officiating arena, has been awarded the white licence.

According to the FIBA Internal Regulations, FIBA license is valid for a two-year period, starting on 1 September and expiring on 31 August 2025.

BBA spokesperson, Abaleng Lesego said in an interview that the FIBA accreditation followed a successful physical and written examinations.

The FIBA accreditation, she said was a welcomed move towards the improvement of basketball in the country.

“Having two internationally recognised referees puts Botswana on the basketball spotlight and is bound to impact the local basketball arenas as the refereeing would be of high standard.

Being an international referee gives one the opportunity to be engaged internationally and gain more experience, exposure and recognition which can benefit the game locally,” she said.

She said the two officials would be in a position to train local referees in preparation for international refereeing examinations and also assume advisory refereeing roles which would improve the local refereeing standards.

Lesego highlighted that the two could upon retirement from active basketball serve in international committees and consequently pass such knowledge down their countrymen. ENDS