By Alinafe Kamphika
Neno District Council Director of Education and Sports, Foster Magombo, has attributed violence at local football matches partly to a lack of professionalism among match officials.
Magombo made the remarks on Monday during the opening of a four-day referees’ training organised by Football Association of Malawi (FAM) at Neno Community Hall.
He said improving the quality and professionalism of refereeing would help reduce disputes and tension that often lead to violence during football matches.
“In Neno, we have fewer than 10 certified referees, which is a very low number. I therefore urge all participants to take this training seriously, to learn and unlearn so that we can minimise violence arising from misunderstandings in officiation,” Magombo added.
The training sought to improve standards in football officiation and identify new refereeing skills to strengthen football administration in the district and across the country.
Malawi Referees Technical Instructor, Maxwell Mtonga, commended the initiative, saying it would enable serving referees to discharge their duties with dignity while providing an opportunity for young and upcoming referees to emerge.
Vice Chairperson of Neno District Referees Association, Roxy Dzumani, also welcomed the training, observing that football in the district had long been officiated by the same referees.
“I encourage all those attending the training to be serious to obtain certification. I believe knowledge and skills from the training will reduce challenges associated with having the same individuals officiating matches all the time,” he added.
The referees’ training, organised by FAM, was part of a nationwide programme with Likoma being the last district to host the training after Neno.
