WINDHOEK – Namibia Football Association (NFA) match officials are being taken through the ropes through the FIFA Member Association (MA) Elite Referee Course, aimed at enhancing local referees’ knowledge about the game and to effect greater uniformity standards of performance at national, regional and international levels.
The MA Elite Referees Course, started in Windhoek on Sunday, and ends tomorrow at the NFA Technical Centre. Course instructor Felix Tangawarima explains: “We are here to help lift the standard of refereeing in Namibia and who knows possibly in another five or ten years one of you seated here will officiate at international games. ”
“The course highlightS the Laws 11 & 12 of the game and we are also looking at the controversial ‘offside’ rule, which is a major issue whenever a referee makes a call.” He added that the course places great emphasis on discipline as match-fixing is on the increase in Africa.
“Anyone can help fix the game, be it your instructor, a staff from the association or a random stranger but FIFA does not take lightly to match-fixing, it will be the end of your career,” Tangawarima stated.
NFA Executive Committee member Stephanus Shimbike applauded FIFA for availing the course and emphasized the value of the course, adding that it’s an ideal opportunity as referees prepare for the start of the domestic league, later this month.