Taiwo Adelu
World football governing body, FIFA, has approved another elite programme for Nigeria.
This approval came after the body was satisfied with the various capacity –enhancing programmes of the present administration of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, led by Amaju Melvin Pinnick, particularly for referees.
To this end, more than 230 Nigerian referees, instructors and assessors will be involved in this year’s FIFA Member Association Elite programme taking place between 16 and 20 May 2016 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, confirmed at the weekend that all arrangements have been concluded for the international programme that will involve Nigeria’s 20 men and women FIFA referees, 17 elite national referees, 95 national referee assessors, 65 national physical fitness instructors and 35 non –FIFA women referees.
Head of the NFF Referees Unit and Secretary of the NFF Referees Committee, Sani Zubair, explained in a statement released by the Media Department of the NFF early on Sunday that the team of four FIFA instructors will be led by the Regional Development Officer, Carlos Henriques.
The FIFA instructors will be supported by highly –respected Nigerian instructors Linus Mba, Calistus Chukwujekwu, Felicia Okonji, Aminu Mohammed, Abraham Zakowi, Emmanuel Imiere, Dr. Oladipo and Emmanuel Obafemi.
The programme will take place at the Sharon Ultimate Hotel, Area 3 in the Federal Capital Territory.
Source:: PM Newspaper
