A FIBA referee,from Kolhapur

The examination involved a detailed assessment of all the different aspects of officiating,testing the applicants’ physical fitness,practical knowledge and their understanding of the rules and regulations. The results were sent to Geneva,Switzerland for evaluation,and Bansode finally got his certificate a year ago,becoming one of the Indians who cleared the FIBA exam. Since then,he has officiated at the FIBA women’s championships at Chennai,as well as the recently held FIBA Youth Championships at the Balewadi stadium in Pune itself.

Bansode feels that such exams are necessary to raise the standard of officiating in the country,and is of the opinion that more officials should apply for it. “It’s not just about the officials either,” he said. “There is a general lack of exposure to the internationally accepted rules and regulations of basketball in our country. The coaches and even the players need to be educated in the rules,otherwise they sometimes misinterpret them during international tournaments.”

The official,who hails from Kolhapur,has represented Maharashtra in the past,both as a player and as a coach. He feels that there is too much emphasis on skills and overall game in our country,and players need to be aware of the exact norms of the game. “For example,if a player goes for an international tournament and is unaware of the proper rules,he or she might commit unnecessary fouls which in turn makes the overall game suffer,” he said.

Bansode was in the city for the ongoing MPA Under-13 Invitational Tournament,and made a guest appearance in spite of having his leg in a cast. “I injured a ligament while working on my fitness,but it’s no big deal,” he signed off.