Micheal Adepoju: Targeted As Future Bedrock Of Nigerian Refereeing,” Says FIFA Instructor

The FIFA Member Association (MA) Course program for Young Talents in Referees aims to identify and nurture future refereeing stars, and Micheal Adepoju of the FCT Referees Council, Abuja, exemplifies this vision.

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At just 17 years old, Micheal has already demonstrated remarkable potential and dedication to the craft.

Selected for the first phase of the FIFA course in Nigeria, which concluded last Friday, Micheal is poised to celebrate his 18th birthday later this year.

His inclusion in this prestigious program underscores his promise as a future officiating leader. Micheal’s passion for refereeing runs in the family; his father, Idowu Adepoju, is a respected referee and now serves as an Assessor.

The elder Adepoju’s extensive career, including years as a Premier League match official, has made him an ideal mentor and trainer for his son.

Micheal’s progress has not gone unnoticed. Felix Tangawarima, the Chief Instructor of the course from Zimbabwe, highlighted young referees like Micheal as the primary targets for the program. Tangawarima emphasized that the goal is to develop these young talents into the foundation of Nigerian refereeing in the coming years.

“Refereeing is increasingly becoming a domain for the young,” Tangawarima remarked. “Micheal Adepoju and his peers represent the future of officiating in Nigeria. They are expected to grow and mature into top referees who will uphold and elevate the standards of the game.”

Micheal Adepoju’s journey is a testament to the success of the FIFA MA Course program. As he continues to develop under the guidance of experienced mentors and rigorous training, he embodies the potential and promise that the program seeks to unlock. The future of Nigerian refereeing looks bright with young talents like Micheal leading the way.