FIFA Regional Development Officer, Carlos Manuel Neves and Technical Instructor, An Yan Lim Kee Chong are to arrive in Nigeria on Friday for a one-week FIFA Member Association Refereeing Course starting in Abuja on Sunday.

NFF consultant on refereeing, Mr. Linus Mba, who is the local coordinator for the programme, told thenff.com that the Nigeria Football Federation had finalized arrangements for the two officials, as well as Malawian Mark Nzengo (physical instructor) who would arrive on Sunday, to be issued visas at the point of entry, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“I can tell you that all arrangements have been concluded for a very successful programme that will benefit our referees, assistant referees and referee assessors more than ever before. I can also tell you that we have successfully re-designed this year’s programme, with the permission of NFF President Amaju Pinnick, to tally with the vision of the new NFF administration of intensive and rigorous training of our referees to meet with universal best standards.

“There will be a total of 61 assessors at the course, as well as eight FIFA referees and 11 FIFA assistant referees. However, we are going to have 21 upcoming referees as observers for developmental purposes. These are the people who will take over from the present generation and they need to be start learning the ropes early.”

Mba disclosed that there will also be four FIFA futsal referees and four FIFA beach soccer referees, who will only be there for physical fitness tests only.

“Thanks to the vision of the new NFF administration, FIFA has approved our new regimen for the programme. The world body is quite happy that Nigeria is one of the countries now determined to follow the new approach.

“As a consequence, the assessors programme will now take three days, with a lot of physical training embedded. There will be 54 physical trainers, and our own Emmanuel Imiere will take charge before Malawian Nzengo arrives.”

There will be some innovation to this year’s programme, as only those who are computer –literate have been admitted, and the intensity will be higher, in order that the new approach secures a firm footing in Nigeria. While the assessors will make use of the Media Centre of the National Stadium, Abuja, the referees will use the FIFA Goal Project for their physical fitness programme. However, the mandatory physical fitness test for all will be at the mainbowl of the National Stadium on Tuesday, 26^th May.

For maximum benefits, the integrated physical programme will be in the morning of each day, while classroom sessions have been reserved for afternoon period.

FIFA Referees: Joshua Opeyemi Amao, Ferdinand Udoh, Benjamin Odey, Henry Ogunyamodi, Abdullahi Shuaibu, Uloma Nwogu, Hadiza Musa, Foluso Ajayi

FIFA Assistant Referees: Peter Edibi, Abel Baba, Usman Isah, Tope Orowole, Samuel Pwadutakan, Efosa Igudia, Peter Ogwu, Abosede Momoh, Mimisen Iyorhe, Hulda Nkwocha, Felicia Obile

FIFA Futsal Referees: Ibrahim Umar Fagge, Paul Umuago, Musa Dung Davon, Ndubuisi Ukah

FIFA Beach Soccer Referees: Jelili Ogunmuyiwa, Mike Ushie, Suleiman Jimeta, Sani Mohammed

Observer Referees: Bashir Salihu, Moses Ojo, Eunice Ammala, Bala Mohammed, Dr. Udennaka Chimezie, Mohammed Saleh, Muize Giwa, Sani Audu, Digbori Tejiri, Umar Mohammed, Sherif Abubakar, Adebimpe Quadri, Usman Mohammed Egede, Nura Abdullahi, Justin Nnadi, Franklin Aguguesi, Rotimi Adigun, Evans Uhunamanre, Ogabor Joseph, Usman Abdulmajid, Sylvester Ohakwe

Referee Instructors: Emmanuel Obafemi, Callistus Chukwujekwu, Faith Irabor, Emmanuel Imiere, Aliu Ibn Saulawa, Sarah Adebisi, Abraham Zakowi, Babatunde Asagba, Felicia Okwugba-Okonji, Abu Mallam, Eke Onyeforo, Ameenu Mohammed, Dele Oladipo, Stella Eloji

Referee Assessors: 61 persons