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On Saturday, September 21, Nigeria Referee with FIFA badge Yemisi Eunice Akintoye of the Lagos State Referees Council organised a symposium and training session under the theme “FIFA YEMISI RETURNS THE CONTRIBUTION” for more than 100 aspiring female referees, Sports247 reports.
The event, which was held at the Lagos State Referees Association Secretariat inside the Teslim Balogun Stadium, aimed to inspire and educate young women interested in pursuing a career in refereeing.
Read also: 2024 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations: Yemisi Akintoye qualified for specialised training ahead of the tournament
Akintoye, a leading figure in Nigerian refereeing, stressed the importance of the initiative, saying: “Being a FIFA-certified referee is a privilege and I have received a lot of training and education from this body.
“It is essential to pass on knowledge to the next generation because the rules are constantly evolving. We need to develop quality referees from the grassroots and it is encouraging to see these young people showing such interest.”
The symposium celebrated its second edition, with a significant increase in participation compared to the first.
“Last year we had about 40 girls and this year the number has more than doubled. Our plan is to continue to expand this programme and reach more girls each year,” Akintoye added.
The day-long training included rigorous morning and afternoon sessions designed to develop the young referees’ skills and confidence.
Participants took part in detailed classes, covering the latest changes to the rules of the game and the physical and mental demands of refereeing at a professional level.
Between sessions, the girls had breaks to relax, and were served breakfast after the morning session and lunch after the afternoon classes.
At the end of the program, each participant was given a certificate of completion, recognizing their dedication and commitment.
Akintoye was joined by several prominent referees who acted as facilitators, including FIFA referee Hope Igho, Pastor John Ojeleye, Anu Balogun and retired FIFA referee Bukky Olisa. Their collective experience provided invaluable insights, which further enriched the training experience for the aspiring referees.
He “FIFA YEMISI RETURNS THE CONTRIBUTION” The initiative is a testament to the growing opportunities for women in football and highlights the vital role of mentoring and training in developing the next generation of referees.
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