Botswana: Botswana Football Association recently held a five day Women’s specific Intermediate referees course. The event was hosted at Likidi Football Centre and hosted for the development of the sport in the country
The training initiative was attended by the participants from 16 of the 17 football regions across the country. The participants from the Chobe region were exempted from the five day workshop hosted for the referees.
Referees Manager Jonty Rasetsoga expressed delight that women referee development is making positive strides. He credited the fact to the commitment and dedication women has shown in handling sports matters.
He made these remarks during the closing of the workshop. He also appreciated that the members of the community have supported the development of the sports sector of the country.
He said there is a notable increase in numbers of female referees accompanied with quality of match officiating in regions they are based. Rasetsoga noted that from the 22-23 season to date, BFA has about sixty-seven women referees.
Some of these refrees are officiating at regions, national level, first division and premier league respectively. The referees Manager encouraged the participants of the five day workshop to strive for quality performance.
The course Instructor Yvonne Ratshipo talked about the significance of the programme. She indicated that the course was aimed at empowering the women with football knowledge.
Further the training sought to ensure there is uniformity in application of the laws of the game. The other objectives of the game include:
- Safeguarding the safety of players,
- Updating women on the changes in the laws of football game
- Bringing diversity in football decision making.
The National Referees Committee Chairperson Dikarabo Ramadubu appealed the participants to remain up to date with rules and amendments of the game so that they are confident when deciding a game.
Ramadubu called participants to aim higher than just being at regionals. At the same time, he also emphasized that its the quality of service that will elevate them. One of the participants Kefilwe Segwati encouraged her colleagues to be game changers.
She urged them to apply their acquired technical skills to enhance the quality of football in their regions.
She cautioned them to keep a physical fitness in line with required standards of refereeing. She called on BFA to support them as they traverse the football journey so that they continue to be role models and motivation to friends of football.
The five days course was instructed by all women being Ms Phemelo Precious Oatile the Physical Instructor, Yvonne Ratshipo and Thobekile Manyanya the Technical Instructors.