Referees’ body to train new referees

The National Referees Association (NRA) plans to train more new referees next year to reduce shortage of referees in the country.

NRA general secretary Chris Kalichero confirmed in an interview on Wednesday in Lilongwe.

“That is our priority to train more young referees so that we can have a pool. We will engage FAM and Sulom in this project so that by the start of next season, at least we should have a new crop of referees,” he said.

Kalichero said the body failed to recruit more referees in the just -ended season because of logistical reasons.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) executive member Rashid Ntelera said the association has already written a proposal to Fifa to train young referees.

“FAM has a proposal to train districts Under-15 coaches in anticipation to have an Under-15 league in all the districts.

“That proposal solicited funding from Fifa who has given us resources and has sent us a resource person to facilitate the course. The proposal, which FAM has is not only for Under 15 coaches but also for referees and others stakeholders in the league,” he said  Ntelera said FAM is committed to ensuring that more referees are trained.

FAM has introduced a national Under-15 League which kicks off in January.

The trained referees to officiate the Under-15 league will eventually be upgraded to officiate the elite league.