TheCable

Forty-seven referees drawn from various leagues in the country participated in a physical fitness test at the on-going FIFA member association course organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The aim of the test is to ensure that the referees have the ability to endure the entire duration of a football match.

Linus Mba, the CAF and NFF referee instructor, said that the test organised for 27 FIFA referees and 20 observer referees had become criteria to assess the performance of match officials to ensure efficiency.

“The purpose of physical fitness test is for us to be able to assess the level of their physical fitness, for us to be able to adjudge whether these referees are able to do normal matches,” he told NAN.

“Once they have passed this test, we are assured that they are training and the training is continuous. So, when they have matches, we know that they were able to do the requirements.

“If a referee is not able to position himself well and do the normal movements and be able to cope with attacks and counterattacks, then he is not a referee. So, we want to assure ourselves that this test is not once and for all, but we want to make sure it’s continuous.”

The course will end on May 29.