Journalism of Courage
Basketball may not be very popular in India,compared to games like cricket or hockey. However,some people involved with the sport,like Sharad Bansode,are making headway in the international scene.
Bansode recently cleared the certification exam of the Federation of International Basketball (FIBA),and is now certified to officiate in international tournaments. He has been refereeing at national level basketball tournaments for the past seven years,and gave the FIBA certification exam in March 2008 in Dubai.
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 its no big deal, he signed off.
