Felix Tangawarima, former Zimbabwean referee and current FIFA senior technical instructor, has expressed confidence in the new generation of Nigerian referees to make a significant impact on the international stage if given the needed support from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Tangawarima affirmed his conviction in the potential of the intermediate referees to outperform their seniors in the right environment. He led a FIFA team that trained about 40 young Nigerian referees in a five-day intensive FIFA Member Association (MA) Young Talents Referees Course that was concluded in Abuja on Saturday, July 6.
“We have seen so much promise and potential from the Young Talents, and as I said last week, there are exceptional talents in there who can easily step up to the plate to replace some of the elite referees that we believe are no longer good enough,’’ Tangawarima said on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to NFF’s president Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau at the Federation’s Secretariat in Abuja.
The 66-year-old charged the NFF to intensify efforts in inspiring and supporting these young referees so the disappointment of Nigerian referees missing major tournaments can be a thing of the past. “It is now our responsibility, and that of the NFF, to keep inspiring, supporting and encouraging those young blood to fulfil their potential and reach the apogee,” he said.
“It is no longer tenable that major tournaments come and go without Nigerian referees. Something must be done and I can tell you that now, we are on to a good thing. I am happy about the new direction that the NFF is taking in the area of refereeing development, the commitment of the leadership to motivating the referees and the personal interest of the NFF President in changing the narrative.”
Gusau, in his response, stated his strong stance on maintaining integrity and discipline among referees and his commitment to supporting those who demonstrate these qualities.
“Personally, I find it unacceptable. At every opportunity, I tell the referees that we will continue to assist those who deliberately step out of line, to stay away permanently. It is a vocation that requires the highest level of integrity, discipline, dedication, diligence and moral rectitude.
“We are delighted at the good recommendation you have given our next generation of referees. We will work assiduously to see that they fulfil their potential,” the NFF President said.
Tangawarima affirmed his conviction in the potential of the intermediate referees to outperform their seniors in the right environment. He led a FIFA team that trained about 40 young Nigerian referees in a five-day intensive FIFA Member Association (MA) Young Talents Referees Course that was concluded in Abuja on Saturday, July 6.
“We have seen so much promise and potential from the Young Talents, and as I said last week, there are exceptional talents in there who can easily step up to the plate to replace some of the elite referees that we believe are no longer good enough,’’ Tangawarima said on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to NFF’s president Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau at the Federation’s Secretariat in Abuja.
The 66-year-old charged the NFF to intensify efforts in inspiring and supporting these young referees so the disappointment of Nigerian referees missing major tournaments can be a thing of the past. “It is now our responsibility, and that of the NFF, to keep inspiring, supporting and encouraging those young blood to fulfil their potential and reach the apogee,” he said.
“It is no longer tenable that major tournaments come and go without Nigerian referees. Something must be done and I can tell you that now, we are on to a good thing. I am happy about the new direction that the NFF is taking in the area of refereeing development, the commitment of the leadership to motivating the referees and the personal interest of the NFF President in changing the narrative.”
Gusau, in his response, stated his strong stance on maintaining integrity and discipline among referees and his commitment to supporting those who demonstrate these qualities.
“Personally, I find it unacceptable. At every opportunity, I tell the referees that we will continue to assist those who deliberately step out of line, to stay away permanently. It is a vocation that requires the highest level of integrity, discipline, dedication, diligence and moral rectitude.
“We are delighted at the good recommendation you have given our next generation of referees. We will work assiduously to see that they fulfil their potential,” the NFF President said.
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