By Kelechi Mejuobi, National Publicity Secretary, NRA
The President of the Nigeria Referees Association, NRA, Otunba Tade Azeez has assured the football family that referees in Nigeria, especially those of the Premier League cadre, are in good shape to officiate matches in the new season,sportsembassy.com.ng can report.
According to a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the Association, Kelechi Mejuobi, the Umpire supremo assured football followers that his men and women are physically and mentally ready for the commencement of the leagues.
The Otunba Tade Azeez who made this known during the opening session of the Pre Season Fitness Test and Seminar for the 2020/2021 session, informed that necessary steps have been taken to put the whistle men and women in proper shape for the 2020/2021 season.
According to him, irrespective of the challenges in the system posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and END SARS protest, the referees are turbocharged to deliver.
While urging his members to maintain the good record and always be worthy ambassadors at both home and abroad while on duty, the NRA president revealed that insisting on good standard and optimum performance remain the watchword of the association adding that working in partnership with Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, for the purpose of taking Nigerian football is the ultimate aim of the NRA.
He however warned that there won’t be any room to tolerate referees who do not want to cue into the expected best practices.
Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee and Member of the NFF Executive Committee, Alhaji Inuwa Rabiu (Alhan ) admonished the referees to officiate in accordance with the laws of the game.
Alhan assured the referees of NFF support all the time. He said that the Federation is not unmindful of the challenges in the refereeing system stating that their welfare and well-being remain paramount.
The program which commenced on Wednesday will see the Referees from the six Zones take part in Medical and Physical Fitness Tests before going in for class work where technical instructors will take them on the Laws of the Game.
