Back to school for local refs
IT will be back to school for local referees from Monday as they attend a week-long FIFA Member Association course at Prince Edward School.
The elite course to be conducted by FIFA and CAF technical instructor Felix Tangawarima and Malawian physical fitness trainer Mark Mzengo has attracted 35 top local referees.
The course, which is held annually in all FIFA member countries, returns to Zimbabwe after a one-year absence as there was no Referees Committee in place last year to facilitate for the workshop.
ZIFA Referees Committee vice-chairman Gladmore Muzambi said the officials would go through such topics as the ever-changing laws of the game, presentation on offside, discussions and analysis on hand ball.
The course will also touch on position and movement — reading of the game, integrity and qualities of a match official among other insightful topics.
And the course outline provides for video tests, analysis of clips as well as discussion groups from the referees closely working with the FIFA experts.
Muzambi said the FIFA course would further equip their match officials.
“It improves the standards of the referees by capacitating our referees on the elite panel with current trends in match officiating.
“We have selected the referees based on their performance. But those on the FIFA panel qualify automatically and that is three male centre referees and six assistants.
“Six female referees on the elite panel thus three centre and three assistants also qualifies automatically for this course,” Muzambi said. FIFA panel referees — Norman Matemera, Nomore Musundire and Philani Ncube headline the list which also has a number of upcoming referees such as Patrick Kalota, son to the late match official Wonder Kalota. Tangawarima, who is also the chairman of the COSAFA referees committee would then head to Bulawayo to prepare the panel of match officials who will handle matches during the COSAFA Women’s Championships scheduled for September 13-24.
Referees
Norman Matemera, Ruzive Ruzive, Nomore Musundire, Josiah Masimire, Pedzisai Chadya, Luckson Mhara, Bongani Gadzikwa, Arnold Ncube, Brighton Chimene, Antony Siyavunda, Thomas Masaa, Thomas Kusosa, Kanzvimbo Kanzvimbo, Francis Chirwa, Patrick Kalota, Joel Magweva, Alois Muzorori, Brighton Nyika, Pilani Ncube, Salani Ncube, Thembinkosi Sibanda, Allan Bhasvi, Oscar Bumhe, Edgar Rumeck, Wirimai Muroyiwa, Thabani Bamala, Munyaradzi Majoni, Tafadzwa Nkala, Magare Mhaka, Kuda Majo, Thanks Nyahuye, Tambudzai Tawengwa, Stella Ruvinga, Claris Simango, Faith Mloyi.