JAKARTA - Budi Marfan and Raden Harja Jaladri are two of the international referees who will be in charge of leading the matches in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup championship at Istora GBK, Senayan, Jakarta, 12-24 July.
In an official statement from the organizers on Sunday, the two coaches from Indonesia were chosen not because of their host status or a recommendation from the All-Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi). However, they were summoned by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) referee commission because they have a good track record.
Budi and Harja are senior referees in Indonesia. Budi, who was born on March 30, 1977, has had a FIBA referee license since 2003. Meanwhile, Harja, who was born on September 17, 1976, received a similar license in 2005.
They have been poor across to lead the match on the national stage. Budi and Harja also often get awards as the best referees in the highest basketball competition in the country.
While in regional or world events. They regularly lead matches, including test matches between countries as neutral referees.
Prior to the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup, the two were jointly the match officials for the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Group A which was held centrally in Melbourne, Australia.
"I was told that I would be serving in the FIBA Asia Cup less than two months ago. Budi and I were asked to undergo a Yo-Yo Test, record it, and send it to FIBA Asia. We have already done it in Cirebon," said Harja, who is from Cirebon, West Java.
"The test went well. Hopefully, we will enter a good physical level for the FIBA referee," Budi added.
Budi said this was the first time he was chosen to be a referee in the FIBA Asia Cup. She does often lead matches at the Asian level, but the majority are at the age group level or women's matches.
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"This is the first time I will be serving in the FIBA Asia Cup. I must be proud to have been selected from many referees in Asia to lead the match here. Moreover, the FIBA Asia Cup is the most prestigious event in Asia and takes place in my own country," said Budi.
Meanwhile, Harja has led several matches in the FIBA Asia Cup.
"Previously, I have referred to four editions of the FIBA Asia Cup. The first was in 2007 and the last was in 2017 in Lebanon. This will be the fifth time. But I am still enthusiastically looking forward to it because the championship will take place in our country," said Harja.
On this occasion, Harja revealed that the most memorable moment of his experience as a referee was at the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup.
At that time, Harja was trusted to lead a number of elimination parties. Then he was chosen to be the referee in the semifinal match between Iran and Taiwan.
At its peak, he led the final match between Iran and the host Philippines at the Mall of Asia, Metro Manila, on August 11, 2013.
He teamed up with referees Arsen Andryushkin of Kazakhstan and Yuji Hirahara of Japan. At that time Iran became the winner beating the Philippines 85-71.
"The first one is always memorable. It was my first final in a major tournament with a full and enthusiastic audience. There must have been a sense of nervousness, but after the match started, that feeling disappeared because the focus was on the match," said Harja to Antara.
After that, he never missed being a referee in a number of regional and world events. For example in the 2014 U-17 Basketball World Championships.
In 2016, she entered the NBA Summer League, then led the 2018 FIBA Women World Cup. In 2019, Harja served in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Harja said that being a referee at the highest level requires excellent stamina. For that, he must maintain physical condition in order to carry out his duties professionally.
"I personally train regularly with a pattern of three training days and a day of rest. From FIBA itself, both Asia and the world, have guidelines for referees' physical training. Every time they want to lead a championship, they will definitely pay attention to these physical problems," said Harja.
So is Budi. He admits he trains four days a week to keep his body in shape. "I also refereed the club's trial matches. This was to maintain my physical condition and the atmosphere of the match," said Budi.
In addition to physical, communication is also an important factor in leading international matches. Harja and Budi have good English skills.
Harja and Budi will join referees from various other countries on duty at the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup on 10 July. Then they will undergo another physical test before taking charge of the game from 12 July.
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