FIBA has selected Syrian referee Wissam Zein to officiate at the U-19 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in the Czech Republic from July 12 to 20, 2025.
Zein is the only Arab referee selected to referee the finals and the first Syrian referee to participate in the Men’s Basketball World Cup, which took place in Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia in 2023.
In 1998, Zein was as a player in school tournaments. He played basketball as an amateur until 2002 where the Ashrafieh Sahnaya Sports Club was founded.
He joined the club as a player and then as a coach until 2005, after which he moved into refereeing.
Basma Qaddour