The country's senior referee official Zulkifli Haji Duraman has called the newest batch of referees for unity during the closing ceremony of the Class 3 Football. Referees Course at the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) House yesterday.

Zulkifli, who sits as a member of the NFABD Referees Executive Committee, underlined his desire for the latest group of referees to stick together and continue their training following the completion of their first test towards qualifying as an accredited FIFA referee.

"I hope that everyone can stick together as a team to be absorbed in assisting the referees association in attending the matches which will be scheduled this year," said Zulkifli in his speech yesterday.

The chairman of the NFABD Referees Executive Committee guaranteed that the referees will be assigned to take charge in the Under-16 and Under-18 leagues which will be held in March.

He advised that all referees who concluded the course to attend training every Friday and Sunday while adding that the issue on the dearth of referees can be addressed if they become active in the refereeing circuit.

"I believe that already half of you carry a potential to step even further," the chairman added.

The chairman reiterated the importance of fitness to be successful in becoming a good referee.

"To become a good referee, there are several characteristics which the participants must take heed. The first is fitness and even in FIFA the key of becoming a good referee is to be able to demonstrate good fitness," he continued. Zulkifli further continued that the participants have felt the difficulty and complexity in the fitness exercise and added that it was structured in accordance with FIFA.

He said that in the modern era the game is ever changing and faster compared to before adding that referees who lack in fitness cannot manage the entire duration of the match.

The chairman also touched on knowledge highlighting that their knowledge as a referee must be utilised in the field and that the referee have to make quick decisions once the whistle has been blown.

Thirdly, the referees must possess discipline in undergoing fitness training highlighting that the association has been strict on the matter.

The referees must also be disciplined in revising the laws and constantly reading and lastly personality.

"If you enter the field, you want to gain the respect of players. If you enter the field and the players respect you, it symbolises that the referee has a good personality."
The chairman asked the participants whether there are any FIFA referees who are inappropriate in appearance such as exhibiting unkempt hair or anything 
similar.

"The answer is no. They enter the field smartly worn so that they will gain the respect from the players," he said.
"If you have these characteristics, you can succeed. The association and the executive committee members will not hesitate to support you to reach to a higher level." 

The chairman added that the completion of the course marked their start as referees adding that it is their beginning of their refereeing journey.

"I congratulate all in becoming referees who wanted to become one not because of force but because of displaying interest and willingness," he concluded.

Former DPMM FC striker Abu Bakar Mahari was among the 20 local participants who took part in the four-day course.

"The knowledge that we have gained from this course is useful to us as a start to familiarise ourselves in our duties as a referee," said Abu Bakar.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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