As the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, goes on break, members of the Nigeria Referees Association, NRA, involved in the officiating have gone back to drawing board to rejig their preparations for the second half of the league.
Recall that at the beginning of this season, the referees were subjected to medical physical fitness, and laws of the game test via seminar and field practical tests where only the successful ones were listed for matches.
With the break on, the referees divided into two groups will undergo fresh medical and physical fitness tests to be qualified again for the second round matches.
According to a schedule of program released by the Referees Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF signed by the Head of Refereeing Unit, Hon Sani Zubairu ( FIFA rtd), the exercise begins on Sunday, 27th March, 2022 with medicals for Group A and fitness test the next day March 27th before seminar and departure.
Group B embarks on Medical for Wednesday, March 30th ahead Physical Fitness Test and Seminar on March 31 and April 1 respectively.
The field and classroom works will enable the Technical Instructors use the opportunity to once again review performances of the referees during the first round and use incidents connected to play in the NPFL matches for learning purposes.
President of the NRA, Otunba Tade Azeez disclosed that the mid season program is among the standard practices adopted by the Federation in line with CAF and FIFA training procedures not just to put the referees in good shape but also ensure they are, physically and mentally alert to undertake their responsibilities on the field of play.
Otunba Tade Azeez is optimistic that the mid season showpiece will impact optimally on the performances of the referees as the league enters the final lap.
He wishes all participants Journey mercies and best of luck.
