In its bid to have a decent officiating in the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament, organisers of the competition have announced a 2-day refresher course for referees that will participate in the football fiesta.
The training programme is being organized in conjunction with the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), Bayelsa State Referees Council, Bayelsa State Football Association and the state Ministry of Sports Development.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Director General of the Governor's Football Tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe ahead of the kick off of the competition tagged the Prosperity Cup.
The statement which noted that the refresher course is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, February 18 and 19, 2025, stated that the essence of the programme was to equip referees in the state with modern officiating techniques ahead of the competition.
The refresher course is intended to enhance the officiating skills of the referees and equip them with updated information of the game, in line with best global practices.
The statement which noted that the state governor, Senator Douye Diri is very concerned about capacity building, stated that over 100 referees would participate in the training programme.
According to the statement, the training programme would be handled by Confederation of African Football (CAF) Instructor, Member NFF Referees Committee and Head, Panel of Instructors of Nigeria Referees, Chukwudi Chukwujekwu; CAF Instructor, NFF Referees Assessor, and Instructor of Referees, Felicia Chibuogwu and renowned referee technical instructor, FIFA trained Referees instructor and assessor, Peter Edibi.
Describing the programme as significant to the state referees council, the statement stated that the programme is equally designed for those intending to be referees in future as well as match commissioners.
The refresher course, which is intended to equip the referees to compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world, is an improvement on what obtained in season 6, which was a 1-day programme.
Reacting to the development, Editor of Yenagoa-based New Waves newspaper, Elder Loveday Herbert said "Refereeing in Nigeria is appalling so if the organisers of the Prosperity Cup are organising a refresher course for referees that will partiipate in offiiating in the competition to update their knowledge and skills, then it is a good development worthy of emulation. It will improve the over-all quality of the tournament. It is a step in the right direction".
The refresher course is expected to hold at the Ernest Okolo Press Centre, Azikoro Road, Ekeki in Yenagoa.
