26 International Referee Candidates and 10 International Commissioner candidates from 23 countries travelled to Bulgaria recently in attempt to gain their International FIBA licences.

The clinic, organised in the City University of Pravetz, was led by FIBA Europe Referee Co-ordinator Miguel Betancor.

FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin, Sports Director Kosta Iliev and Richard Stokes from the Referees Department were also in attendance.

The three-day clinic covered all aspects of mechanics for two-person and three-person officiating as well as the rules.

Referees were also put through an assessment based on their performance in games of the Bulgarian U16 Men play-offs  and were instructed on the philosophy that is required to become an international referee.

"We must ensure that we provide the best officiating possible for European competitions and in doing this we must continue to support the national instructors and Federations in their efforts to develop the best officials in their countries by providing resources and materials to assist them," said Betancor.

"We now have a large number of international officials in Europe, but we must work to also have the best.  

"We owe this to the players and coaches in every country."