The Nasarawa Referees Council, (NRC) has advocated that the partnership between the Nasarawa Football Association (FA) and Bet9ja, a betting company, be sustained for the benefits it accorded the youth and referees in the state.
Mohammed Isa, the Secretary of the Council made this known in an interview with Nigeria News Agency, in Lafia on Monday.
NAN reports that Nasarawa FA recently agreed to go into partnership with Bet9ja to organise and sponsor its 2019/2020 ‘Premier League Competition’ initiative for 30 local football teams across the state divided into four groups.
The competition, which kicked off in September has engaged many of the youth, coaches and referees on a weekly basis at different football venues across the state.
Isa said the partnership had benefitted not only the players and teams involved in the competition but also referees as they were now fully engaged weekly to officiate in the different fixtures across the state.
He added that besides the benefit of experience on the pitch for the referees, they were also enjoying good match day bonuses courtesy of the partnership.
“Honestly, the welfare package for our officials has been very fantastic especially since Bet9ja agreed to partner the FA.
“No doubt, the FA is doing its best, but with the recent collaboration with Bet9ja, referees welfare is now the best,” he said.
