Mr. Hsin-da Lee Education • Taipei Physical Education College     Current position • International Class-A Basketball Referee

2) National Basketball Referee

Q1： As a national class-A deaf basketball referee, which game impressed you the most?
A1： The game that left the deepest impression on me took place during the 2011 World Deaf Basketball Championships in Italy when I was the chief referee for the game between Poland and UK. As it turned out, the players from the two teams got into a fight on the court. Fortunately, the situation was brought under control in the end. The incident reminded me to stay calm under any circumstances.

Q2： Being a referee, you have to run full court and follow every player closely. What kinds of routine training do you go through?
A2： As a referee, I have to review the rules, practice the gestures, and run for at least 2,000 meters every day. During the course of international sports events such as the Olympics, World Cup and Taiwan SBL, I also try to watch the games in person or on TV.

Q3： Comparatively, are there any differences between Taiwan and other countries in terms of attention given to deaf sports?
A3： In Taiwan, the government pays little attention to the sports for the physically disabled and the deaf, which makes them an underprivileged group. The welfare for these players is often far worse than those for the top athletes. It is difficult for deaf athletes to take days off from work whenever there is an important sports event. And when they return to work from such leaves, there might even be risks of losing their jobs.

Q4： You have worked both as a coach and a referee. Which position brings greater sense of achievement? Why?
A4： Whether working as a referee or a coach, the greatest sense of achievement is to be treated equally as a non-disabled person and not be discriminated. The most important thing in both cases, however, is to "lead by example". You have to think what others will think of you if you do something badly. And only if you do your best, others will follow your lead. Meanwhile, it is also important to encourage and support young people, so that they could achieve something in the future like I did.