THE task of moulding and mentoring active referees in Nigeria especially those handling the various leagues have been dropped at the doorsteps of the Panel of Referees Assessors of the Referees Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
This was made known by the NFF during the opening session of the Pre-season seminar organized by the NFF for referees assessors at FIFA project complex in Abuja.Represented by the Secretary General of the NFF, Dr Mohammad Sanusi, the football body noted that the introduction of referees assessors has improved the fortune of refereeing in Nigeria, adding that the job of making referees excel is partly in the hands of the retired arbiters who have been trained to asses the active ones.
Sanusi, who declared the event open, expressed happiness on the introduction of referees assessors in the premier league last season which according to him contributed immensely to the wonderful performance of referees last season. The NFF scribe however informed the Referees Assessors that fresh task awaits the assessors in the new season. He said that the requests from the Nigerian Referees Association, NRA, related to better welfare are being looked into with a view to accomplishing them for the good of the referees.
In his earlier speech, NRA President, Tade Azeez admonished the NFF for working in partnership with Nigeria referees adding that other areas of collaboration especially in the sponsorship and training aspects will further be exploited to achieve maximum results.
Apart from requesting for inclusion of Referees Assessors in the National League, Tade appealed for the inclusion of referees interest in the sponsorships packages of the federation. Tade expressed happiness on the various training programs NFF organised including the UK training tour where some referees where beneficiaries.
On the Pre- season Seminar, Tade informed that teachings and technical knowledge of the Laws of the Game have gone digital and require potential assessors and active referees to be compliant in handling latest information technology gadgets. He enjoined the officials to avoid acts inimical to the good of the game.
Among the trainers who tutored the Assessors were FIFA and CAF instructors; Callistus Chukwujekwu, Emmanuel Imiere and NFF referees consultant, Linus Mba.
