By Vincent Khonje
A renowned referee instructor, Version Lwanja, has emphasized the need for all districts in Malawi to have qualified referees.
Lwanja made the remarks on Wednesday in Mchinji during the opening ceremony of a referee training course, stressing that well-trained referees are key to transforming football at all levels, including officiating.
“We need to have qualified referees in all places so that when we have competitions, there are referees available locally. This also helps reduce costs, as referees do not have to come from far-off places,” said Lwanja.
Mchinji Referees General Secretary, Genesis Kalirani, said the course is crucial for producing referees who are well-versed with the rules of the game.
“We have had referees who were not properly trained, but now we will be proud to have referees capable of officiating important games both locally and beyond,” Kalirani said.The training is being supported by Mchinjis Directorate of Education and Sports, which provided facilities for accommodation and practical sessions. Chief Education Officer, Dennis Chikwakwa, highlighted the importance of having reliable referees to improve football standards across the country.
“Football is widely played in Malawi, and there is a need for referees who are competent and dependable. Initially, some referees officiated without proper training, but through this course, they will be transformed into qualified referees,” Chikwakwa said.
About 46 individuals have enrolled for the course in Mchinji, following a call by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for both aspiring referees and existing officials without certification to register for training.
