FIFA Referee Instructors course opens at Prampram

Prampram (G/A), Dec. 15, GNA-Referee instructors in the country have been called upon not only to be knowledgeable in the rules and regulations of the game but also develop their leadership, administrative and management skills. This would enable them to instill self-confidence as an instructor and role model for referees.

Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Education, Science and Sports made the call in an address read for him at the opening of FIFA Futuro III course for referee instructors at Prampram in the Greater Accra Region on Monday.

The course, an initiative of the world's football governing body, FIFA seek to upgrade the performances of referee instructors of the member countries of the FIFA and also educate member associations in coaching, refereeing, administration, management and sports medicine. About 18 Referee instructors drawn from Ghana, Nigeria, The Gambia and Sierra Leone are attending the five-day course. Prof.Fobih said the big responsibility associated with the organization of the FIFA World Cup in Africa requires that everything African should be exceptional and without blemish. 'This requires an unblemished performance of African referees who will be selected to handle matches at the tournament', he said, adding that, this responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of you the referee instructors.

The Minister said, as we get closer to the hosting of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa, we are challenged to provide knowledgeable and quality referees who would merit selection as FIFA World Cup referees

"We expect that the FIFA 2010 World Cup would provide a major platform for advocacy to the effect that, the African referee is capable of handling any level of football match in the world", he added. Prof. Fobih advised the participants to grasp the lessons to be taught with the aim of imparting them to referees in their respective countries.

Mr Kwasi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association in a speech read for him, thanked the FIFA for their enormous contribution to Ghana and expressed the hope that the relationship between the two would further deepen for the development of sports. Mr. Peter Pendegrass, the course Director was of the view that the participants would take their lessons seriously to enable more Africans to officiate in the 2010 World Cup.