All is now set for this year’s FIFA Member Association (MA) Elite Programme for Nigerian referees, assessors and physical fitness trainers taking place in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja between 3rd and 8th July 2017.
Last year, more than 230 Nigerian referees, instructors and assessors were involved in the programme, which took place 16th – 20th May 2016, also in Abuja.
Head of the NFF Referees Unit and Secretary of the NFF Referees Committee, Mallam Sani Zubair told thenff.com at the weekend that all arrangements had been concluded for the international programme that will this year, involve Nigeria’s 29 men and women FIFA referees, 15 elite national referees, all national referee assessors, all national physical fitness instructors and non –FIFA women referees.
Zubair also disclosed that the team of three FIFA instructors would be led by the Regional Development Officer, Carlos Manuel Neves Henrique, and will include Felix Onias Tangawarima from Zimbabwe (referee instructor) and Tracy Sophia Lovell (physical instructor).
The FIFA instructors would be supported by nine highly –respected Nigerian instructors, Calistus Chukwujekwu, Felicia Okonji, Mohammed Adebayo Ameenu and Faith Irabor (technical), as well as Abraham Zakowi, Bola Abidoye, Emmanuel Edikin Imiere, Bola Sekiteri and Stella Eloji (physical).
The program will take place at the National Stadium Complex, Abuja with theoretical classes inside the Media Centre of the complex.