Thursday 13 February 2025

Head of Referees from Qatar at the REFEREE.PL in Antalya

During the first session of the camp in Antalya we had special guest with us, who was Mr Mohammed Ali Rashid Al-Subaye. He came to Turkey together with 2 referees from Qatar, who were attending classes and were officiating games. Now since this is the first time we have Qatari referees for the camp we have asked Mr Mohammed to share with us some words about his country and refereeing.

Dear basketball friends,

My name is Mohammed Ali Rashid Al-Subaye from Qatar. I work in Basketball Federation as the Assistant Secretary General and I am also Head of Referees in the country. I am as well FIBA commissioner and have also some duties as member of FIBA Asia Technical Committee. I used to be a FIBA referee until 2012; I stopped officiating, and I went to being a commissioner in 2014. Our country is rich due to gas and oil production.  The money are to be invest to grow up and upgrade the country and standard of living of its inhabitants. It is not easy to get the money, you have to work hard in your job or private business. Main investment stream is going to increase and improve infrastructure of the country, but also to educational programs, including sport.

Marta: How did you like this camp?

Mohammed:   This is great camp. I am made for the first time special camp for Qatari referees 3 years ago, and this is a 4th year. But honestly this camp is great with Kuba, Carl, Costas, Stephen and others. I am learning as well and getting experience here.

M: Would you send your referees again to the camp?

Mohammed: Yes, already I talked to Kuba. Next year when you have the camp I will send at least 10 referees. Although it is short 3 days, but with the volume of knowledge is like 2 weeks, because they are working from 7.30 in the morning until 10.30 in the night. I have never been at any other camp like this, I appreciate the effort you spent on organizing it.

M: How do you work in your country with the referees?

Mohammed: I work with our referees. In Qatar now we have 56 officials, 3 are FIBA and 1 FIBA commissioner. We hired as technical expert of referees   Mr. Petr Sudek, who is also FIBA referees supervisor and commissioner. We work together from last year, now he is the second year with us. He is a great man. He is working with referees on the mechanics, rules and officiating techniques practically on daily base. In our country we are trying to recruit referees who are 16 till 23 years old, because we need to teach them from 0 and in 4 years we want them to be the top in our competitions.

M: Now please tell us something about yourself. Besides refereeing what is your work?

Mohammed: I am manager of finance department in Qatar Olympic Committee. I coordinate 45 employees under me. I work there from 7-14 and in the afternoon I work with basketball.

M: And now the question because referees are interested, if you could tell us a little about your private life. How many wifes?:)

Mohammed: I am married and have one wife. 3 sons and 2 daughters. Big son is Mamae, he studies in UK, he is 20 years old now. I have daughter Najoud, she is studying in USA. Dima, second daughter, is in 11 grade of school, and Abdullah is 4 years old, and Bander is 1 year old.

M: And they are not interested in basketball?

Mohammed: Not too much at the moment. In our country now it is good time for study. I want them to get the knowledge needed to have good chance in life afterwards. For sports; I try with my big son, I took him to swimming club, but I don’t push him. I let them to decide, about their sports activities. After, I will give them full support in it, even they will not choose basketball.

M: Anything more you would like to share with our readers?

Mohammed: I would like to thanks  to Mr. Kuba for organizing his camp, it is really good one, with a lot of useful lectures and information for participants from great lecturers and instructors, which can help them to improve their officiating skills, and I do hope to see you as soon as possible again.

Thank you.

Related articles on REFEREE.PL

http://www.referee.pl/emw-camp/antalya-2015/2015-camp-news/387-meet-the-campers-team-from-qatar

http://www.referee.pl/emw-camp/antalya-2015/2015-instructors/412-petr-sudek-coming-from-qatar-to-turkey