…Calls For Reforms In The System in Line With Modern Trends
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has disclosed that it won’t stop at nothing in ensuring that a perfect system for referees to excel is put in place.
President of the Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Gusau made this known when the leadership of the Nigeria Football Referees’ Association, NFRA visited the Football House on a courtesy.
Alhaji Gusau who received the delegation led by the Acting President, Sir Kelechi Mejuobi, assured of continued partnership with the arbiters’ body for the growth of the game in the county.
According to the NFF President, all is in place to train at least ten referees on VAR as part of its capacity programs to raise the level of referees in the country. He said that the program will take place this year amongst others geared towards improving the standard of officiating.
Alhaji Gusau who used the opportunity to sympathise with the death of the President, Hon Sani Zubairu who died recently and has since been buried enjoined the referees’ expressed happiness with the smooth transition process that has seen the emergence of an acting president for the association. “The Federation is happy with the process taken which is in line with your constitution”, he added.
The NFF President told the
association to gear up for further challenges in line with the realities of modern day refereeing requirements. He admonished the leadership of the NFRA to begin investment in recruitment of young referees from the Secondary Schools cadre for future resourceful results. He also harped on education and knowledge of technology driven innovations as refereeing officiating and report writing have changed overtime. The NFF President further urged the association to be in the mood for changes that will turn around the fortunes of the association.
Earlier, the NFRA delegation had briefly visited the office of the General Secretary of the Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi who also commiserated with the leadership over the untimely exit of Zubairu.
Dr Mohammed Sanusi used the opportunity to remind the NFRA team of the need to continue to tutor and mentor their referees involved in matches to be of good behaviour always, especially those on the field of play.
Speaking during the visit, the NFRA President opined that it became necessary to visit the Federation over the death of Zubairu’s since he was not just a President of the association before death came but served as Head of Refereeing Unit of the NFF. Mejuobi said that Zubairu’s death was a great loss not just to the football family but to the NFF and referees. He said that the association has to move on by using specified constitutional means to fill the gap which saw the Deputy National President move on to become the acting president.
“Having enjoyed a good relationship with the Federation when our late President, Alhaji Zubairu was alive and in charge, we have come to seek continuity of the strategic partnership.
Mejuobi who on behalf of the NFRA thanked Alhaji Gusau led NFF for support to the referees in terms of training programs, payment of Indemnities and other incentives noted that the association is turbo-charged to reciprocate the kind gestures of the Federation in many folds.
In the NFRA delegation is the former President, Alhaji Ahmed Maude.
National officers present include Engr Emma Imiere, Vice President 1 and Vice President 2, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Fagge. The Deputy Secretary General, Col Nicholas Achikasim, North West Zonal Coordinator, Mallam Nasser Ibrahim, Chairman of Chairmen, Alhaji Aliyu Mammaga, Abraham Zakowi of the NFF Referees Committee and Victor Ijeremen of the FCT Council.
