Women referees set to debut in PBA Governors’ Cup
Don’t be surprised if you see women referees working the games in the PBA Governors’ Cup which begins on July 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Edith Botecario and Janine Nicandro will be a common sight in the league’s season ending tournament after PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa stamped his approval on the inclusion of the two officials in the roll of referees that will work the import-laced conference.
“We believe in the ability of women and we want them to play a more active role in the league. I think having women referees in our games will be good for the league long term. Gone are the days when the game of basketball was confined to just the men,” Narvasa said.
“The role of women in society transcends beyond the confines of home and office. Women of this generation are actively involved in just about anything and everything and their presence and achievements have been acknowledged the world over. In the field of sports, women are just as successful as the men. Their impact in the global market is simply awesome. So I think tapping women referees will be good for the PBA.”
Botecario, 29, and Nicandro 23, were picked from among the 15 trainees of the PBA referees academy that included five women.
It will be the first time in the PBA’s rich 41-year history that female referees will be tasked to work official games.
PBA chairman Robert Non, Narvasa said, is very supportive of the innovation. Narvasa said the chairman believes it about time women referees are given an opportunity to work on the big stage.
Botecario and Nicandro underwent extensive training in the PBA D-League, the women 3×3 tournament and the league’s Campus Tour under the watchful eyes of the league’s Technical Committee.
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