INUVIK

With hundreds of hours spent as a referee of squash games across the territory and at provincial events in Alberta, Hani "Dangoria" Ibrahim finds himself standing alone at the top.

Hani "Dangoria" Ibrahim has become the first nationally-accredited squash referee in the Northwest Territories and was the first ever squash referee from the Northwest Territories to be accredited to officiate at the Canada Winter Games. - Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo

Ibrahim has become the first-ever nationally accredited squash referee in the territory, a feat he said has made him proud especially after dedicating five years of work.

"I really worked hard for it," said Ibrahim.

"We don't have that many referees in the territory. Many are just the basic class of referee."

Ibrahim officiated at three Alberta tournaments in 2013 and 2014 in order to get the paperwork necessary to be accredited.

To become a Class B-11 referee under Squash Canada regulations, Ibrahim was required to get signatures from already accredited referees during tournament play in order to complete his training.

He said it was a challenging venture because referees are held to very high standards to receive the necessary signatures.

During a tournament in Calgary last year, he said he officiated almost two dozen matches over three days, but was only able to get two signatures toward his accreditation.

"It can be challenging to get the signatures you need because you might not make enough calls for the referee to feel comfortable signing off on your work," he said.

While he's reached an important goal in his squash-playing career, Ibrahim said it goes much further than his own development.

He said he hopes to inspire other players to become referees and to learn the nuances of the game.

"We need more referees to help the players get better at the game," he said.

"So many players in the NWT play without calling the right things. I'm hoping it will improve players."

Ibrahim said without the encouragement of NWT Squash and Yellowknife squash player Spider Jones, he wouldn't have been able to find the success he has.

"I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for them helping me," he said.

The fact Ibrahim has played squash for a long period of time - he was a member of Sudan's national squash team before moving to Canada in 2011 - has been an integral part of his success officiating matches.

"You have to be very focused and careful," he said.

"If he's the best player in Canada, you have to push that out. It's very challenging. You have to be prompt and make no bad calls. It's been a big bonus, being a player first. I understand how players operate.

Because of his national credentials from Squash Canada, Ibrahim was the first-ever squash referee from the Northwest Territories to be accredited to officiate at the Canada Winter Games.

He hopes to take his new-found accreditation to bigger events across Canada and hopefully, internationally.