Times Of Swaziland: MOZ, ZAMBIA OFFICIALS FOR MA REFS INSTRUCTORS COURSE

MOZ, ZAMBIA OFFICIALS FOR MA REFS INSTRUCTORS COURSE
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Melusi Mkhabela on 16/07/2024 08:22:00


LOBAMBA – Technical expert Gladys Lengwe from Zambia and Physical instructor
Bento Navasee from Mozambique, will oversee the five-day Member Association
Referees Instructors Course.
Yesterday, the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Vice President, Steve Horton,
officially opened the course at the Technical Centre at Lobamba. The opening
ceremony was attended by over 30 local referees, who include Federation of
International Football Associations (FIFA) Accredited Referee, Letticia Viana.
During the opening ceremony, EFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Fredrick
Mngomezulu welcomed the FIFA experts, who oversee the five-day course. He
further stated that the instructors were tasked with training the local
official, in an effort to produce better referees in the country.
“The course starts today (yesterday) and finishes on Friday,” revealed
Mngomezulu. Meanwhile, FIFA Instructor Gladys Lengwe from Zambia, mentioned that
they are in the country on behalf of FIFA and the Regional Development Officer,
Victor Gomes. She further stated that they are also in the country to give their
expertise to the referees of Eswatini, while citing that their belief in
development was imperative. Lengwe stated that for the local referees to compete
at the highest level, it was all dependent on the quality of referees or rather
instructors in the country.
Dynamic
“We always say football is dynamic, meaning that if our instructors are not
updated with the latest methods or trends, it means that it will trickle down to
our referees. I would like to urge to please pay particular attention; give it
your all and grasp as much as you can,” expressed Gladys. She further stated
that if the local referees were to compete at the Council of Southern African
Football Association (COSAFA), Confederation of African Football (CAF) and at a
FIFA levels, then it was all up to them to make it happen. Lengwe said if the
referees are not knowledgeable, they would be embarrassed.
Meanwhile, EFA Vice President Steve Horton, mentioned that the two FIFA experts
had a crucial and essential assignment. He stated that this was central to the
continued development and performance of the referees in the game of football,
while also expressing his gratitude to FIFA for the course. “In the current
times, referees have been under severe pressure from games’ participants and
spectators alike, especially after the introduction of novel technologies to aid
decision making, which unfortunately, owing to the huge capital outlay required
to establish such a construct, it is still a challenge,” revealed Horton.