Referees preparing to kick-start a league match at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri. Former Golden Eaglets coach, Henry Nwosu has called on the NPL to enforce the use of good turfs like this one pictured here to ensure the league improves.
Nigeria may boast of 10 FIBA referees by the end of October should Lagos referees Lai Alimi, Olusegun Adekanmbi, Samuel Sofoluwe, Razak Okedeyi, Joseph Patrick alongside Musa Gambo from Kano and FCT referee Opeyemi Ogunleye succesfully complete the FIBA referee clinic and examination which starts in Cotonou, Benin Republic today to end October 17th.
The 3-day assessment will see the 7 Nigerian regional referees join their other African colleagues to be tested on the newly revised 2014 Official Basketball rules approved by the FIBA central board as well as physical evaluation.
Nigeria currently has 3 FIBA referees, Kingsley Ojeaburu who stands as the first Nigerian referee to officiate at any FIBA organised senior event , when he arbitrated at the maiden FIBA World Cup in Spain in September. Oyo State’s Tunde Popoola and Yinka Famogbiyele from Osun State make up the Nigerian FIBA big 3.
Success for the seven, will mean Nigeria will have a total of 10 referees eligible to officiate both continental and international competitions from 2015.
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