The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will ensure that all its referees are thoroughly trained and prepared, as guaranteed by a Pre-Competition Clinic (PCC) scheduled from August 19 to 22 in Quezon City.
The training program will take place at the Seda Hotel (morning sessions) and Victoria Sports Tower (afternoon sessions). It aims to ensure that all 44 game officials are in prime condition both physically and mentally, with less than a week remaining before the global event.
FIBA Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Sports & Competition Head Eric Altamirano expressed, “Through our PCC, we aim to equip our referees with all the necessary tools to make accurate and fair game calls.”
FIBA Head of Refereeing Carl Jungerbrand and Refereeing Consultant Tomas Rimkus will join Altamirano in leading various seminars, drills, and practice games. These activities are designed to prepare game officials for the three-week-long tournament that will feature 32 teams.
Following the four-day clinic, each of the four venues – namely, the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City/Philippine Arena in Bulacan (for Opening Day only), the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, the Okinawa Arena in Japan, and the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta – will be assigned 11 referees.
“I, along with the rest of the FIBA LOC, am eagerly anticipating how our well-trained referees will contribute to making the FIBA World Cup 2023 a historic and record-breaking event,” Altamirano remarked.
Fans have the opportunity to witness the referees’ readiness for the FIBA World Cup 2023 firsthand by obtaining tickets for Smart Araneta Coliseum games at ticketnet.com.ph and for SM Mall of Asia Arena games at smtickets.com.