The Nigeria Football Referees Association (NFRA) is gearing up for its pre-season programs as preparations for the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season intensify. This initiative marks a critical phase in ensuring that referees are fully prepared for the upcoming season, emphasizing their roles in maintaining the integrity and smooth operation of the league.
To align with the NPFL's scheduled kickoff, the NFRA has meticulously planned its pre-season schedule. This preparation is essential for referees to stay sharp and updated on the latest rules and regulations. The first major event in this pre-season program is the assessors' seminar, set to take place on August 15th and 16th. This seminar will focus on refining the skills and evaluative techniques of refereeing assessors, who play a crucial role in evaluating the performance of referees during matches.
Following the assessors' seminar, Batch A referees will undergo their fitness tests on August 18th. This step is crucial as it ensures that referees meet the physical requirements necessary for officiating high-paced matches throughout the season. The fitness tests will be followed by a series of field and classroom sessions scheduled for August 19th and 20th. These sessions aim to enhance the referees' theoretical knowledge and practical skills, culminating in a mini-match on August 21st. This mini-match will provide referees with an opportunity to apply their training in a simulated game environment.
Batch B referees are scheduled to commence their pre-season activities on August 22nd. They will first undergo their fitness tests on August 23rd. This ensures that all referees meet the same high standards of physical readiness. Following the fitness tests, Batch B referees will participate in both classroom and fieldwork sessions on August 23rd and 24th. These sessions are designed to cover theoretical updates and practical training, similar to what Batch A experienced.
The pre-season program for Batch B will conclude with a mini-match on August 26th, 2024. This final phase will allow the referees to demonstrate their preparedness and apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired during the training sessions. The mini-match will also serve as a platform for assessors to evaluate the referees' performance in a match setting.
Overall, the NFRA's pre-season program is a comprehensive initiative aimed at ensuring that referees are well-prepared for the demands of the new NPFL season. Through a structured schedule of seminars, fitness tests, and practical training, the NFRA is committed to maintaining high standards of refereeing in Nigerian football. This preparation underscores the importance of referees in upholding the quality and integrity of the league.
The successful execution of this pre-season program will be crucial in setting the stage for a smooth and well-regulated NPFL season. By investing in the training and development of referees, the NFRA is taking significant steps toward enhancing the overall quality of officiating and ensuring that the upcoming season is conducted with fairness and professionalism.
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