Shema Maboko: From FIBA Referee to Rwanda Sports Ministry Permanent Secretary
21/07/2020
Africa
to read

Shema Maboko: From FIBA Referee to Rwanda Sports Ministry Permanent Secretary

KIGALI (Rwanda) - At just 18 years, Shema Maboko underwent his first referee training while also working as a Table Official back in 1998 in the Rwandan capital of Kigali. 

Six years earlier, he had developed the love of basketball and started playing and it was at Kicukiro Basketball Club that he started officiating his teammates during training sessions that he saw this as an opportunity to take this hobby as a profession. 

Back then, there was not much information about doing this at the highest level but that did not deter him from chasing his dream. In 1999, he officiated his first game as a trial and it went well. That gave him the momentum to continue working hard and stay committed.  In 2007, he got his zonal referee certificate and a year later, he became a FIBA international referee. 

The 40-year old has since officiated every FIBA AfroBasket edition since 2009 through to 2017 - five in total, one women's edition in 2009, five editions of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2016 as well as the FIBA AfroLeague last year. 

He officiated at the 2011 All Africa Games in Mozambique as well as international events including the FIBA U17 Basketball World Championship 2016 for both girls and boys in Spain, FIBA Europe U18 Division A in 2009 in France and the Junior NBA Global Championship Finals in Orlando, USA last year. 

Speaking to FIBA.basketball in an exclusive interview, Maboko said, "I have good memories and souvenirs from all the international games I officiated in my career because each game at each championship was a new experience and a new platform for learning. My favourite ones were always the ones I officiated as a Rwandan representing my country and Africa my continent."

The ability to withstand immense pressure in some of the most basketball passionate countries in Africa like Angola, Egypt, Madagascar, Mozambique, Senegal and Tunisia to mention but a few calls for consistency, resilience and the strictness to stay by the book. 

"I learnt a lot of values in basketball. Humility, socialisation, striving for improvement, teamwork, honesty and sacrifice because you cannot officiate more than 20 years without those values surrounded by passion. Also, basketball taught me to be "ME" and listen to my mind and body and learning from others by listening to comments, advice and criticism," Maboko explained in depth.  

In 2007, the same year that he attained his FIBA Zonal Referee status, he also graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education and Sports at the former Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) now the University of Rwanda, College of Education.

"I was fascinated by Sports Administration and with basketball as my passion, I wrote my academic dissertation on the administration and organisational structure of the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA)."

"I started working on the different issues, tracking the administration, organisation of basketball events and later joined the FERWABA Executive Committee. After 2012, I was hired as the Technical Director."

As a FIBA referee, Maboko managed to help the federation shift and change their working relationship and collaboration with the Executive Committee members who were motivated in improving and taking Rwandan basketball to another level locally, in the region and internationally. 

Among many other achievements, Rwanda qualified for the FIBA AfroBasket for four straight editions between 2007 and 2013, missing out on the 2015 one at the expense of neighbours Uganda but returned in 2017. 

It is this tenacity therefore that inspired Maboko to enrol into the Master of Arts in Sport and Olympic Studies at the University of Tsukuba in Japan.

"This program helped me to understand more about the trends of sport worldwide as a Sports Administrator and Technician but also it opened my mind to the academic thinking and working. The experience in Japan was exceptional because Japan has its uniqueness in the culture and behaviour where you learn humankind and humility."

After the completion of his Masters Degree, Maboko was appointed as the Permanent Secretary of the Rwanda Ministry of Sports - a position that calls for the experience that Maboko has amassed over the past two decades. 

"It was a good surprise and I was happy that I am going to continue to work for my country and bring my knowledge and skills in the development of sports in Rwanda and contribute to the national development programs mainly in the sector of sports."

Rwanda has invested immensely in basketball which is among the top priority sports in the country and Maboko explains that the federation has thrown everything they had at growing and developing the hoops game. 

He said, "The secret is simple. It is the hardworking spirit of the basketball members and also the support of the Government of Rwanda in the development of sports. Also, FERWABA grabs all opportunities around basketball development like maximising coaching courses, hosting tournaments and participating in international basketball events and many other opportunities around."

"All the achievements in sport particularly in basketball come from the good governance and the inspiration of good leadership."

Rwanda has also invested immensely in constructing basketball infrastructure with the magnificent Kigali Arena taking centre stage last year when it was launched and hosted the Basketball Africa League Division East Qualifiers and was set to host the BAL Final Four and Final in May but the ongoing pandemic saw it postponed. 

"Having the Kigali Arena facility is a crucial opportunity for Rwandan basketball because it is a modern facility that will contribute to the exposure of Rwandan young players and it will contribute to the economic growth in Rwanda when we host mega sporting and entertainment events in the facility."

Rwanda will host the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 - an edition that is expected to be thrilling as it will be the first time Africa's premier basketball event is played after four years. It was previously played every two years. 

"The FIBA AfroBasket 2021 will be an important event in the history of Rwandan basketball and hopefully, Kigali will host this event with international standards and people will enjoy because the Rwandan hospitality assures security, welfare and enjoyment while staying in the capital city in the Land of Thousand Hills. So welcome to all basketball lovers, you will feel at home."

For Maboko, the values and standards he observed as a referee continue to inspire him now that he is a Government official. The game of basketball has shaped his life in more ways than one and he hopes to use his platform to spread the message that sports can transform lives. 

FIBA