Ready to blow
Referees gear for football return
Following over a year long hiatus of local football, owing to COVID- 19, local referees are said to be more than ready to blow the whistle once again anytime soon.
The 2021/ 2022 football season is set to resume this coming month, with Botswana Football League ( BFL) and Debswana First Division League opening their round of fixtures.
According to Botswana Football Association referees manager, Phodiso Rasetshoga, match officials are ready after undergoing rigorous fitness tests. “Over the past few weeks, match officials have been going through high intensity tests, medical and fitness tests. This is a practice we normally do before the season starts and also during the course of the season. We are more than ready for the start of the season,” Rasetshoga said. “For those who did not pass the tests, we are currently observing and helping them reach the required levels to officiate; we are not going to neglect them,” he added.
The BFA has taken steps towards ensuring that referees are ready for the proposed football return. The association has held courses during the pandemic, including elite referees’ FIFA/ MA course which was facilitated by FIFA Instructor, Felix Tangawarima FIFA, assisted by local FUTURO instructor Dikarabo Ramadubu. The BFA also conducted online courses to capacitate officials with the latest developments in the game. “I must say growth of our referees and instructors is also recognized by COSAFA and CAF as some of them have been engaged in their activities. We have effectively managed to use technology to capacitate our instructors and referees,” Rasetshoga highlighted. In previous years, there were qualms prior to the start of the football season pertaining to payments of referees. This will not be the case for the upcoming season, according to BFA referees manager. “BFL will take care of payments officiating in the league; BFA will pay referees who officiate in regional leagues. Currently there is no outstanding debts to referees, all issues have been resolved,” he stated.
Rasetshoga further revealed that plans are ongoing to host workshops for football clubs to drill them on the latest laws of the game. Jwaneng Galaxy, Orapa United who are partaking in CAF competitions have already been taken through the exercise. Debswana First Division South outfit, Mochudi Rovers, this past Friday were also updated on refereeing rule changes after they requested the BFA office to grace their return to play workshop. According to Rasetshoga BFA will also use regional instructors to ensure the last developments on refereeing also reach the regional leagues.