NFF: There is no going back in supporting referees for excellence

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…calls for system reforms in line with modern trends

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has revealed that it will stop at nothing to ensure that a perfect system is put in place for referees to excel.

The 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 as a courtesy.

Alhaji Gusau, who received the delegation led by the Acting President, Sir Kelechi Mejuobi, assured continued collaboration with the referees body for the growth of the game in the county.

According to the NFF president, everything is ready 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 the program will take place this year among others aimed at improving the standard of refereeing.

Alhaji Gusau, who took the opportunity to sympathize with the death of the President, Hon Sani Zubairu, who died recently and has since been buried, enjoined the umpires to express happiness over the smooth transition process which has seen the emergence of an interim President for the association. “The Federation is satisfied with the process undertaken which is in line with your Constitution,” he added.

The president of the NFF said this
association to prepare for further challenges in line with the realities of modern arbitration requirements. He admonished the NFRA leadership to start investing in recruiting young umpires from secondary school cadres for future resourceful outcomes. He also insisted on education and knowledge of technology-driven innovations as officiating and report writing have changed over time. The NFF president also urged the association to be in the mood for changes that will change the fortunes of the association.

Earlier, the NFRA delegation briefly visited the office of the Federation Secretary General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, who also commiserated with the leadership over Zubairu’s premature exit.

Dr. Mohammed Sanusi took the opportunity to remind the NFRA team of the need to continue to mentor and guide their referees involved in matches to always maintain good behavior, especially those on the field of play.

Speaking during the visit, the NFRA President said it had become necessary to visit the Federation following Zubairu’s death as he was not only the President of the association before his death but was also the Head of the Arbitration Unit of the NFF. Mejuobi said Zubairu’s death was a great loss not only for the football family, but also for the NFF and the referees. He said the association must move forward using specific constitutional means to bridge the gap that saw the national vice president become the interim president.

“Having enjoyed good relations with the Federation when our late President, Alhaji Zubairu was alive and in office, we have come to seek continuity of strategic partnership.

Mejuobi, who on behalf of the NFRA thanked Alhaji Gusau, head of the NFF, for the support to referees in terms of training programmes, payment of allowances and other incentives, noted that the association is highly charged to reciprocate the kind gestures of the Federation in many folds.

Among the NFRA delegation is former president, Alhaji Ahmed Maude.

National officers present include Eng. Emma Imiere, Vice President 1 and Vice President 2, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Fagge. Deputy Secretary General, Colonel Nicholas Achikasim, North West Zonal Coordinator, Mallam Nasser Ibrahim, Chairman of Presidents, Alhaji Aliyu Mammaga, Abraham Zakowi of the NFF Referees Committee and Victor Ijeremen of the FCT Council.