When 3-on-3 basketball makes its debut at the Tokyo Olympics, referee Sarah Gamal will also be making a breakthrough, as an Arab and African woman officiating at the Games.
Wearing a black veil emblazoned with a sports company’s logo, Gamal stands tall among the high-flying male players at Alexandria United Club, a powerhouse of Egyptian basketball with a rowdy fanbase.
“From the start of my journey as a referee, I haven’t heard one negative comment or faced any obstacles to me being a veiled woman. The veil for me is normal and doesn’t cause any problems,” the 32-year-old told AFP.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) changed its rules in 2017 to allow players to …
Keep on reading: First Arab woman basketball referee to stand tall at Olympics