Basketball in Africa

This is what many believe could bring order to the game of basketball after two matches on two consecutive days were postponed earlier this week because there were no referees.

On Tuesday, a women’s league match between RA Sisters and Mont Fleuri was not played and on Wednesday, the scheduled Men’s division 1A encounter between PLS Hawks and SMB Razorbacks did not take place.

It should be noted that in one of the cases, the referee in question is a senior member of the new caretaker basketball committee set up earlier this month.

Such incidents tend to affect teams in various ways, including financially and morally. Some teams make transportation arrangements for their matches only to learn upon arriving at the venues that the match won’t take place. Having already made an initial payment for transport, they have to once again look for money when matches are re-scheduled.

Some teams also ask for their players to be released from work, therefore postponement of matches create certain disadvantages.

We have seen in the past where actions have been taken against teams who fail to turn up on more than one occasion or against players whose behaviour is not in line with the sports code.

Disciplinary actions sure help improve the image of different sports when applied properly, and it will thus be interesting to see table officials and referees receive punishments when they are at fault.

It will be to the best advantage of everyone and the game of basketball in particular if all involved take their responsibility and play their assigned roles in order to keep the sport on straight course.

R. D.

# posted by afrbk : 13:08