The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) on Friday kicked off a five-day capacity building programme for referees on the FIFA Member Association (MA) Refereeing Course at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.
The training is part of a series of development programmes for member associations provided for by FIFA. The course will focus on the education and instruction of member associations’ top and elite referees and assistant referees.
Twenty eight referees including four women are participating in the course.
In his opening statement, Lamin Kaba Bajo the GFF President said the course marks another very important step in the development of the GFF refereeing programme in The Gambia. He reaffirmed GFF’s commitment to the implementation of the policies and programmes approved by FIFA and CAF in the overall development of referees in The Gambia. In doing that, he added, the GFF would continue to seek new partnership with all stakeholders to develop football and move referee management and technical development forward.
Bajo further assured that the Federation would continue to provide technical guidance and resources to develop referees in The Gambia, in collaboration with FIFA, CAF, Government, National Sports Council and other partners. “Referee development programme has taken a centre stage in our strategic long-term plan and this training today is another milestone in the technical development of referees in The Gambia,” he stated.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Carlos Henriques, FIFA instructor, noted the significance of such capacity building courses for referees, while urging the referees to take the training seriously since it is going to enhance their experience on officiating games.
by Samba Jawo
