Thirty (30) Elite referees and five (5) Instructors in the country will have a lifetime opportunity to learn from FIFA Fitness Instructor Kadar Touati and FIFA/OFC Technical Instructor Jimmy Warai during a one-week FIFA Member Association Refereeing seminar that gets underway this morning (Monday 25th September 2023) at the HCC Sports Complex Conference Room.
The course is an annual FIFA Member Association Refereeing course for International and Top Referees and Assistant Referees, Men and Women in the Member Associations.
FIFA Fitness Instructor Touati has a wealth of over twenty (20) years experience officiating at FIFA World Cups in the Under 20, Under 17, Beach Soccer, and the Women’s World Cup events.
“Coming from the two recent FIFA World Cups in Qatar and the recent Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, we identified some importance of how the game now has been played on a faster pace, and why referees must understand the technicalities to react quickly on their decision making,” the Tahitian said.
He said the objective is to help the federation improve the knowledge, fitness, and technical side of the referees in both genders.
“We expect participants to gain good knowledge from this course because we are committed to supporting the crucial role played by the referees in ensuring the integrity of the modern game.
“Referees’ decision on the field is important. It has a profound impact that shapes how the world sees the game – and the challenges and opportunities that are essential to the development of referees to make good decisions and be ready and fit technically.
“And we’re happy to see new aspiring referees in this country getting involved.
These represent the significant steps forward in the continuous development of football in the country – and an opportunity for referees to learn from FIFA’s best to enhance their skills and share their knowledge.
“On behalf of FIFA, I extend words of appreciation and acknowledgment to the President, Executive Committee, and CEO of SIFF through its Referee Development department for their continued support in the development of Referees in the Solomon Islands”.
SIFF CEO Leonard Paia said that the course is timely as an MA to improve and work hard on the capacity building of referees – on an elite approach.
“This is one of the areas that is vital for football development in any MA – the role of referees. I believe that this seminar will bring and help our referees have the confidence to make decisions during matches that protect the integrity of football,” SIFF CEO Paia said.
“You referees have the capabilities to reach the highest level of performance – so make all good use of this opportunity to learn from the two FIFA Instructors during the course of this seminar.
The course will continue until Friday 29th September.
-SIFF Media
