In 1959–1960, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) sent a telegram to the Iraqi Federation requesting the participation of four federal referees in a certification course held in Beirut, under the supervision of the FIBA headquarters in Munich, Germany. My late colleagues—Ismail Hamoudi, Mahdi Najm, and Ali Al-Saffar—and I set off for Beirut. The primary instructor was the French Secretary-General of FIBA, Robert Busnel. For two weeks, we underwent intensive theoretical and practical sessions on officiating principles, game management, and the intricate articles of the FIBA rulebook. About a month after returning to Iraq, telegrams arrived with the results: we had all qualified as International Referees. We were the first four Iraqi international referees in history. While my three colleagues transitioned into other sporting roles, I continued my journey in officiating both inside and outside Iraq. I traveled to over thirty countries and officiated approximately 250 international matches until my retirement in 1985, making way for the next generation of referees.