Palestinian referee Amira Ismail counts points and fouls during a basketball match in Gaza City on September 13, 2021. - Ismail, 23, who officiated the Gaza City-Nuseirat match, has been making history in the Israel-blockaded Palestinian enclave ruled by the Islamist group Hamas since 2007. Her passion for basketball motivated Ismail to seek an official refereeing licence from the the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), which she earned three years ago after passing online exams. But due to social pressures, and then a long pause forced by the Covid-19 pandemic, Ismail had yet to officiate a match -- until this year. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP)