The leadership and members of the Nigeria Football Referees Association NRA have received a thumb up for their organizational and proper training and retraining of Referees in the country.
This assertion was made by the Acting Secretary of the Club Owners in Nigeria Alloy Chukwuemeka while speaking with Journalists at the quadrennial delegate conference of the NRA held in Benin Edo state at the Weekend.
According to him, this has led to increased efficiency of its members performances in both local and international matches, despite some pockets of criticisms.
Chukwuemeka observed that given the enabling environment, Nigeria Referees can compete favorably with the best Referees across the World and could even surpass them.
He blamed lack of adequate security at our league venues and negative publicity as part of the problems hindering the progress and performances of our Referees.
“When you do a close assessment of our Referees performances at continental matches, you will agree with me that they have all it takes to deliver. Look at Edibe at the ongoing Nations cup, look at Udoh who is one of the youngest FIFA Referees in the World, look at the performances of our Referees at the just concluded LMC super 6, indeed they are always at their best under a conducive environment, so they deserve commendation “ he said.
“So for us to get the best out of them at the local scene , all our league centres must be made conducive, with adequate and effective security, such that will guarantee optimal performances” chukwuemeka advised.
He continued, “Look I was a member of the Ministerial committee on the reform of Referees system in Nigeria and the recommendation by our committee if implemented will add more values to the outputs of our Referees going forward.
“Part of the recommendations were that there should be a special sponsor for the Referees, to bankroll their recruitment exercise, training and retraining, kitting, Insurance and payment of improved indemnities of about 100% increase from what is being paid now.
“We also recommended a special mobile police squad whose duty is to escort and protect Referees before, during and after matches until they leave for their respective states. More so, all Retired FIFA Referees and retired senior Referees with proven records of integrity should be assembled and appointed as Referees assessors , alongside a total overhauling of the Referees appointment committee to be made up of trusted and highly respected personalities amongst others “.
“Again we stated it in our report that the League organizers should take charge of the various venues and ensure that their personnel are there to receive Referees, accommodate, feed and transport them to matches, so that no club either home or away will have undue access to the match officials”.
Chukwuemeka who is also the General Manager of NNL side ABS FC of Ilorin commended the out-going leadership of the NRA led by Ahmed Maude for bringing stability and progress to the Association, just as he congratulated the newly elected executive led by Mr. Tade Azeez and charged them to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far.
