18 Sep 2013

Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Jefferson Siamisang says it is disheartening that referees in the Sub-Saharan region are not sufficiently represented at continental showpieces such as the AFCON finals.

Officially opening the FIFA regional refereeing instructors course in Gaborone on September 16, Siamisang said he hoped that after completion of the course, there would be an increase in the number of referees from the region assigned to officiate at FIFA and CAF events.

He highlighted that the instructors would have to work hard to achieve effective representation at every level of CAF and FIFA events. Moreover, the DPS said the support of local instructors through imparting appropriate skills remains critical. “As men and women who have been referees, you may have noted that the higher the standard of refereeing, the better the standard of play,” he noted.

He further highlighted that the more the match officials effectively implement the rules and regulations governing the game, the more the players understand such rules and regulations, hence making the game flow nicely without any impediments.

Siamisang called on participants to take the course seriously and ensure that when they get back home they produce better match officials whose performance at big stage matches would be above reproach.

FIFA course instructor, Carlos Henriques thanked Botswana Football Association for hosting the course for the second time as the first one was held in Botswana in 2008. He said looking at the past five years; the Sub-Saharan region had improved in terms of the referees’ performance which he said would help take the region to a higher level.

Therefore, he indicated that he was confident that the instructors would conquer the rest of Africa if they continued taking the courses seriously. “If you stay committed you will achieve much and I can see a bright future for the Sub- Saharan region” he said.

The six day course has attracted 36 participants both women and men from 12 Sub-Saharan countries who are former referees with good international standing in the area of refereeing.Ends