Camp for football referees begins in Nizwa

August 25: A four-day training camp for football referees in the Sultanate, organised by the Referees Department of the Football Federation, began at the Sport Complex here on Wednesday.

The camp is being held with the participation of 56 referees representing different grades in preparation for the new football season.

The event was kicked off in the presence of international observer Salim al Battashi, Director of Referees Department in Football Federation and director of the session.

Omar Bishtawi, the Jordanian expert referee in Football Federation, lecturer Ali bin Ahmed al Qassimi, international observer Abdullah al Hilali, the fitness trainer, observers Khamis al Shammakhi and Yasser al Rawahi are among those who lead the camp.

Salim al Battashi delivered a welcome address. He said: “The camp is part of the Referees Department plan to develop skills of referees. It is the second camp and the first camp was held in Salalah. The department has plans to conduct more such camps for referees in other places as the new season is witnessing a lot of changes in rules of the game.”

“Referees could benefit from the lectures and exercises included in the camp and make use of the awareness in practice sessions. The camp gives referees an opportunity to familiarise themselves with amended rules which can be implemented in the forthcoming football matches,” Al Battashi said.

The camp will include theoretical lectures, practical exercises that aim to improve the efficiency of referees and their management of the match. Referees Department attempts to reduce the mistakes made by referees through their management of the match.

The camp began with two lectures in the morning and evening which dealt with the new amendments made to the referee law. In the evening, international observer Abdullah al Hilali led a training session.