A third batch of referees, 20 in all, will this month depart this country’s shores for the United Kingdom for a two-week capacity-enhancing programme.
The programme, which is in the manner of that undertaken by two earlier batches of 10 and 20 referees, is aimed at improving the quality of refereeing in Nigeria’s domestic football and make the country’s arbiters more professional, diligent, incorruptible and therefore, fit for consideration for major international matches and championships.
NFF President Amaju Pinnick stated in November 2014, before the departure of the first batch of 10 referees to the United Kingdom, that the Federation’s target was to train 50 referees in the programme. This third batch will bring the number to 50.
Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, confirmed on Monday that the delegation will be led by Member of the NFF Executive Committee, Alhaji Hussaini Modibbo, and will also include president of the Nigeria Referees Association, Alhaji Tade Azeez, secretary of the Referees Committee Sani Zubairu and NFF consultant on refereeing, Daniel Olokor.