The first ever training workshop for football referee assessors is currently underway at the National Technical Training Center in Yundum. The week-long course organized and funded by the Gambia Football Federation, kicked off on Monday with instructors from FIFA and CAF.
Declaring the workshop open, GFF President Lamin Kaba Bajo expressed gratitude to both FIFA and CAF for their support to the Gambia for the realization of the training, “This is a dream come true”. Bajo who also doubles as Chairman of GFF Referees Committee noted the vitality of the training and its impact on the performance of referees. “There is no meaningful football without referees and referee assessors are a fundamental component to help supervise the work of referees”, he said. The GFF President reiterated the commitment of his Office to supporting any meaningful program meant to enhance the capacity and human resources base of football “particularly referees”.
Course Director Felix Tangawarima also expressed delight to be chosen by CAF to coordinate the course. “This country is blessed and lucky to have a federation president who doubles as a Referees Committee Chairman and having produced the best in the continent in Bakary Papa Gassama”. Tangawarima said with Gassama at the helm of African refereeing, “there is no reason that Gambia cannot produce more best referees,” he posited.
The training program will be themed on composure of referees, know-how and knowledge of Assessors to the Laws of the game, body language amongst others, and most importantly having to develop a good and proper reporting system during the game proceedings. According to GFF Referees Manager, Seedy Manneh, the training course will further avail the Assessors system to identify young and competent referees.
The training is being attended by 27 participants across the country. Twenty from the National League Division One and seven from the Regional Football Associations, where each region is being represented by one personnel with a refereeing background.
