All-female crew of officials takes center stage at the U16 Women’s Asian Championship in Amman

AMMAN (Jordan) - As the future stars of tomorrow in women’s basketball were playing on the court at the FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship 2022, a crew of officials comprised only of women officiated the game.

In the game played between Australia and India, the game was officiated by an all-female crew. This included all game officials as well as the back-up referees, the commissioner, statisticians, and table officials. Additionally, the coaches of both teams, Australia’s Tracy York and India’s Manisha Satyajit Dange, were also part of the crew.

History was made in Asia in the game between Australia and India in Amman

"As a woman, I feel so proud to have an all women crew," said Baraa Al Nasser, a statistician in this game. "It was a proud moment for us and it reconfirms that an all women crew is also possible."

"It gives us a lot of trust in ourselves and the experience plays a big role in that."

"With the officiating crew as all women, this take women’s officiating one more step forward in the region and assists in the games progress as well as the progress of all basketball officiating," said Homa Goudarzi, who served as commissioner of the game.

From left to right:  Mahsa Kargari (Iran), Elham Khazneh (JOR), Via Diah Rohmana (INA)

"With more experiences and help and support from authorities, we will continue to improve the quality of our jobs in the future, too."

"This might not happen immediately, but the accomplishment in this game is indeed a positive step in basketball."

Women in Basketball is one of FIBA's Strategic Priorities for the working cycle of 2019 to 2023, with an aim to increase the role of females at all levels of the sport - both on and off the court. The numerous initiatives and efforts being implemented currently as was on display during this game at the U16 Women’s Asian Championship in Amman, Jordan.

FIBA