22 Jun 2014

The world football governing body, FIFA has on Friday June 20, concluded an international level member association elite refereeing course for 37 local referees in Gaborone.

The five-day course was instructed by Felix Tangawarima from Zimbabwe and it entailed theoretical and practical work. Speaking during the official closing of the course at Lekidi football Centre in Gaborone, deputy director of corporate services, assistant commissioner Boeletswe Gobotsang said referees were very important because they decided the outcome of matches.

Gobotsang therefore, advised referees to refrain from any criminal activities and match-fixing. He said decisions they made in the field of play would reflect on the country. Also, he told referees to strive towards learning even more so that they could have a chance to represent Botswana in big competitions like the FIFA World Cup.

Chief executive officer of Botswana Football Association, Keith Masters said referees were important because they could never be any match without them. Masters said referees’ decisions were final therefore people should always recognise that.

For his part, the course instructor Tangawarima said the course was 80 per cent practical and did not include a lot of theory. He said they did that because they wanted to help the referees to translate what they had learnt into the field of play. In addition, Tangawarima acknowledged that Botswana had improved compared to the level they were in a decade ago.

Tangawarima said local referees had advantage because they were aware of FIFA’s amendments. “Instructors are trained every year and are working towards the development of the referees,” he said.  He also encouraged referees to represent Botswana well in the international arena saying it was possible to see Botswana referees officiating in big matches.

He commended the referees for their devotion and commitment to the course both in the class and fitness sessions. The five-day long course came at the time when the referees are preparing for yet another showdown in the upcoming premier league season. ENDS