Minister Phillip in his remarks at a Monday 17th January MA Referee course commended the SKNFA for the training courses.
“The SKNFA is leading the way as this is the second course started within days. I recently spoke on Saturday at a Women’s Technical Course and today I am now at another opening ceremony for a referee,” he said.
Minister Phillip also stated that he will be “looking into ensuring that the equipment that are used for these courses are not charged any taxes as it has become a burden on the Association.”
The MA Referee course is a continued effort to keep the referees up to date with the constant changes to the rules and regulation of the game.
Meanwhile, President for the SKNFA, Anthony Johnson spoke to the referees from both St Kitts and Nevis about the importance of the referee in the game.
President Johnson in his remarks outlined some of the necessary changes that have to be implemented by 1st April 2011.
“FIFA has made it mandatory that the Associations form a Referees Committee, the committee will be a part of the Association.
“Referees always need to be abreast with the rules of the game and also be physically fit as they are always under scrutiny.” Johnson said.
On another note, FIFA instructor Ramesh Ramdhan in his remarks said “referees have to improve on their interpretation and application of the rules.”
Ramdhan told the referees, “The Referee Assistant Programmes (RAP) is geared to professionalizing the referees. We are behind in the Caribbean but in three years we have improved significantly. The future of the games lies in the hands of the referees.” He also stated that, “All sporting equipment will be made available to the referees in order to improve their quality. The fitness testing equipment worth over £4000.00 is now on island to ensure that the referees are physically fit.”
The MA Referee Course will end on Friday 21st January, and the referees will been engaged in theory and practical session. They will also be conducting a fitness test during the course.