All but one ref pass fitness test
All but one of 39 Malawian referees passed Fitness Test at the College of Medicine’s Sports Complex on Sunday, thereby easing the pressure on the handling on the tight fixture for the season.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Referees Sub Committee member Charles Kafatia on Monday confirmed some-up-and coming Lilongwe referee was the only casualty in the test.
“It is a reflection that we are moving in the right direction. It means our referees are on top of things. You cannot be a good referee without sound physical fitness. A referee has to always be closer to the ball,†Kafatia said.
In this exercise, the referees were fighting for a place in Malawi’s 16-member quota for Fifa referees. The quota include for women, assistant referees and full referees.
Current occupants of the quota Kalyoto Ngosi, Antony Rafael, Dennis Nguluwe, Jones Makuwira and Bernadetter Kwimbira made the grade.
The test allowed the likes of Jones Chimeza and Feston Kusekuse, who were unable to officiate games after failing in previous fitness tests to, once again, regain their places on the pitch.
More delighted was Southern Region Referees Committee general secretary Franscisco Scova.
“With a tight schedule of assignments for the TNM Super League, Standard Bank Knockout Trophy and the Carlsberg Cup, we need a pool of top referees who are competitive,†Scova said on Monday.
