Earlier today, March 19, 2021, a total of 22 FIFA-certified Nigerian referees took the FIFA physical fitness training test at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Emmanuel Imiere, a FIFA/CAF National Fitness Instructor, told News Men that the quarterly exercise is according to FIFA’s international best practices.
He said the physical fitness test is one of the required tests for FIFA certified referees every year; it is a quarterly exercise, and this is for the first quarter,” he explained.
According to Imiere, 29 referees were scheduled to participate in the exercise, but some were unable to do so due to CAF national assignments.
However, the test included four male referees, three female referees, eight male and female assistant referees, four FUTSAL referees, and three beach soccer referees, according to him.
He explained that the exercise was designed to ensure the referees’ physical fitness because they could be called for international assignments at any time.
He further encouraged the referees to ensure that they are technically sound and conduct themselves professionally when officiating matches so that CAF and FIFA will invite more Nigerian referees to participate in matches.
Sani Zubairu, the Secretary of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), had earlier urged the officials to improve their performance.
The NFF is committed to the training and exposure of Nigerian referees, according to Zubairu, who is also the Head of the NFF Referee Unit.
