Kristine’s Games call-up

A BASKETBALL official from Oldham has achieved her dreams after being asked to officiate at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Kristine Ogden (43), from Moorside, has successfully beaten off hundreds of applicants to become one of just 38 Olympic basketball table officials.

Not only does she stand the chance of officiating at the Olympic finals, she is one of just six who will officiate at both Olympic and Paralympic games.

Kristine, head of performance and quality at Oldham Community Leisure, has been passionate about basketball since she started playing for Saddleworth in 1984.

Knee injuries saw her retire from the game in 2002 but she swapped centre court for court side seats when she became a table official.

The role of a table official is to keep score, keep track of incidents such as fouls, and timekeeping.

Kristine has already officiated at all levels, from local league and junior games, to wheelchair basketball, the Euro basketball league and the World Basketball Championships last year.

She said: “I received the letter on December 23 and was delighted but also nervous.

“This is the ultimate event for any basketball official, you can’t get better, and to have a chance of being there is amazing.

“It definitely made my Christmas extra special this year.”

Kristine will have to undertake workshops and training sessions in the run up to the event.

She will not find out until closer to the day which matches she will attend and in what role.

But she is already counting down the days until she is court side in front of some of the best players in the world.

She said: “My family and friends are really excited for me and OCL has been completely supportive every step of the way.

“I’m the only official from Oldham so I’ll be extra proud.”