February 02, (THEWILL) – Referees and assistant referees in the country have been firmly urged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to prioritise their improvement and upscale their knowledge and experience if they are to remain relevant and recognised on the international stage.
On Tuesday, during the badging of Nigeria’s 2022 FIFA referees, assistant referees, beach soccer, and Futsal referees at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project within the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, this was the dominant theme of the remarks.
Alhaji Sharif LMC Rabiu Inuwa, a member of the NFF Executive Committee and the Chairman of the Referees Committee, got things started by reminding the audience that Nigeria only had one official during the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Cameroon — an assistant referee.
He was not pleased with that and made it clear: “That we could only have one assistant referee at the AFCON is a big indictment on all of us. We are not doing enough as professionals, and we must take this as a big challenge.
“We are proposing that we have a monitoring team for our referees who officiate internationally so that we can have accurate assessment of how they perform and conduct themselves.”
The theme of taking referees in the country to task was continued by the President of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), Otunba Tade Azeez, who said without equivocation: “Nigerian referees have failed.
“The NFF has been doing well to provide all the support that we need, and our FIFA and CAF instructors have also been doing their bit in trying to put us in great physical shape. But we have let them all down and we must turn a new leaf and aim for better performances.”
Dr Mohammed Sanusi, the NFF General Secretary, also lent his voice to the charge: “To whom much is given, much is expected. Nigerian refereeing should be at a much higher level by now if the values of discipline, commitment, professionalism and integrity are held sacrosanct. Apart from officiating ability, there are other parameters that assessors look at that you may not be aware of.
“If you wish to grow, you have to be honest and fair to yourself in all that you do.”
After presenting the referees with their badges, Mallam Shehu Dikko, NFF 2nd Vice President and Chairman League Management Company (LMC), challenged the referees to develop the mental strength and fortitude to overcome their current challenges and any form of handicap, and to commit to greater performances and upholding the highest professional values at home and abroad.
At the ceremony, a total of 30 referees, including 11 referees, 11 assistant referees, 4 beach soccer referees, and 4 futsal referees, obtained their badges.
Salihu Abubakar, the LMC’s chief operating officer; referee instructors Calistus Chukwudi Chukwujekwu, Dave Egwu, and Mohammed Ameenu; Ademola Olajire, the NFF’s director of communications; and Garba Lawal, the NFF’s chief technical officer and a former Nigerian international, were also present.
Those who received their badges included:
REFEREES
Quadri Adebimpe; Basheer Salihu; Joseph Ogabor; Abdullahi Abubakar; Nurudeen Abubakar; Grema Mohammed; Kassim Abdulsalam; Yemisi Akintoye; Hannah Elaigwu; Patience Madu; Oluwafunmilayo Alaba
ASSISTANT REFEREES
Digbori Tejiri; Efosa Igudia; Peter Ogwu; Samuel Pwadutakan; Usman Isah; Hope Igho; Mimisen Iyorhe; Usman Abdulmajid; Beauty Kabenda Terah; Abibat Yusuf; Mfon Friday Akpan
FUTSAL REFEREES
Musa Dung Davon; Ndubuisi Ukah; Paul Umuago; Alhassan Bello Zuru
BEACH SOCCER REFEREES
Jelili Ogunmuyiwa; Olawale Fawole; Olayinka Olajide; Ahmed Rabiu.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
