Zoran Dragic (3rd R) of Slovenia competes during the Preparation Game for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 against Montenegro in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Aug. 8, 2023. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)
History is made as three female referees have been selected as part of a group of 44 experienced officials to officiate the 2023 Basketball World Cup hosted across multiple countries.
BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Three female referees will officiate games at the upcoming 2023 Basketball World Cup, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced on its official website on Wednesday.
For the first time in the history of the FIBA's flagship event, three female referees, Amy Bonner, Blanca Burns and Jenna Reneau, have been nominated for the tournament scheduled to tip off on August 25.
A total of 44 referees from all five regions will be dispersed to various venues after a pre-competition camp in Manila to put the finishing touches on preparation for them.
The referees, with an average age of about 40, generally have more than 11 years of FIBA experience.
The 2023 FIBA World Cup will be held in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, marking the first time in history that the event is hosted by multiple countries. ■
