Sports
IBRAHIM Gusau, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has called on FIFA refereeing instructors to help improve the lot of Nigerian referees on the continental and global stages.
Gusau made the call during a courtesy visit on him by some FIFA refereeing instructors who are in Nigeria for three refereeing programmes.
This is contained in a statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications on Monday in Abuja.
Gusau urged the instructors to help develop Nigerian referees to a level that they would be regularly considered for major FIFA and CAF assignments.
He appealed to the instructors from Zambia, Morocco, Mozambique and Djibouti to always find time outside regular instructional periods and sessions, to communicate with Nigerian referees.
The President said this was with a view to supporting, encouraging and building them up to be among the very best on the African continent.
“We have our teams regularly taking part in major competitions in Africa and the world, and it is always a painful thing seeing referees from other countries while we hardly see ours.
“We want you to take up this assignment beyond the regular instruction courses; you should endeavour to communicate with them all the time.
“Encourage them, support them and give them tips that will keep improving them to get to the top,” he said.
Earlier, NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi informed the instructors that Nigeria is one of very few countries who participate in almost all FIFA and CAF competitions.
“The new NFF administration is determined to ensure that Nigerian referees also build capacity and grow to become part of the elite of the beautiful game,” he said.
The FIFA instructors, led by Gladys Lengwe from Zambia, also included, Houssein Mohamed from Djibouti, Said Nouri from Morocco and Bento Navesse from Mozambique.
They are in Nigeria to superintend a Women Referees Course, a Futsal Referees Course and an Elite Men Referees Course, all happening between July 1 to July 15.
A total of 35 participants are taking part in the Women Referees Course, while 40 participants are in the Futsal Referees Course, and another 40 are involved in the Elite Men Referees Course.
Nigerian referee instructors, Emmanuel Imiere, Felicia Okwugba, Saheed Ayeni, Ibrahim Fagge, Sarah Adebisi, Cecilia Ogbuji, Peter Edibe and Maryam Indo,Bola Sekiteri, Victor Ijereme, Aminu Shantali and Nicholas Achikasim are participants.
Others are Rabiu Gusau, Abraham Zakowi, Bello Abubakar and Calistus Chukwudi Chukwujekwu who are members of the NFF Referees Committee.
The women referees’ course and futsal referees’ course, which began on Saturday will end on Thursday, while the elite men referees’ course will take centre stage between July 9 to July 15. (NAN)
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July 3, 2023 @ 18:36 GMT|
Tags: Ademola Olajire Ibrahim Gusau
