BANGKOK (Thailand) - The FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup – Division B is delivering more than just competitive basketball. It is also showcasing a powerful statement about the future of women officiating in the sport.
With 80 percent of the referees at the tournament being women, the event is an example of the FIBA Women in Basketball Strategy in action. This landmark representation is not accidental, it is the result of deliberate investment in referee development programs, incentives, and opportunities designed to elevate women through officiating across the region.
"FIBA Asia was one of the earliest regions in the FIBA family to have female referees officiate a men's game,” said FIBA Executive Director - Asia, Mr. Hagop Khajirian.
We had two female referees as part of the officiating team at the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup (then known as FIBA Asia Championship) in Manila. Each of them officiated a game in the Quarter-Finals. And since then, we have nominated female officials to many of our competitions.
"Let me add here that these female referees have been nominated not merely to maintain gender equality, but also by their very own individual merit. And we are proud of these women, who have shown that gender is no hindrance to capability," he added.
FIBA’s approach recognizes that referees are not only guardians of the game’s integrity but also leaders who shape its culture. By creating pathways for women to access training, mentorship, and international exposure, the strategy ensures that officiating is a viable and respected career avenue.
The FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup - Division B tournament offers a stage where female referees can demonstrate their expertise, confidence, and authority, reinforcing the message that women belong at every level of basketball decision-making.
"FIBA Regional Office-Asia regularly referee training workshops, which includes training potential referees and game officials. These workshops are a part of our development program to Empower the National Federations, to ensure all competitions at the domestic level adheres to the latest FIBA standards and guidelines," Mr. Khajirian explained.
Apart from Women in Basketball, Empowering the National Federations is one of FIBA’s strategic pillars for the 2023-27 period, with Shaping International Club Competitions being the third.
"We have been constantly urging the National Federations to encourage more female participants in these workshops in order to widen the talent pool of referees and game officials,” he said.
For many of the young athletes competing, seeing women in charge of the whistle was as impactful as the competition itself. It provided visible role models and underscored the idea that basketball offers diverse opportunities to contribute, whether as players, coaches, administrators, or officials.
The presence of such a strong female referee cohort also signals to national federations across the region that investing in women’s officiating development pays dividends in representation and quality.
The FIBA Women in Basketball Strategy continues to expand these opportunities, offering structured programs that support women referees in progressing to elite competitions, while also incentivizing federations to prioritize gender equity in their officiating rosters.
"We are seeing a consistent growth in the percentage of female participation in these development programs. We certainly would like our National Federations to utilize the opportunity of the workshops and bring in more female participants," Mr. Khajirian said.
The FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup - Division B event stands as a testament to how these initiatives are reshaping the landscape, ensuring that women are not only participating but leading.
FIBA