By Debayan Mukherjee,
AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: FIFA Refereeing Development Officer Mr. Muhiseen Ariff was in the Capital for venue inspection for the FIFA FUTURO-III Refereeing Instructors’ Course for South Asia and Central Region starting September 11, 2013. In an exclusive interview to www.the-aiff.com, he speaks at length on the significance of the first of its kind Course in India, standard of Instructors and Referees in India, his Inspection and much more. EXCEPRTS:

Throw some light on the FIFA FUTURO-III Referee Instructors Course.

Futuro III Refereeing Instructors Course is an initiative by FIFA under the FIFA RAP (Refereeing Assistance Programme) to educate the Instructors of all its Member Associations and prepare them for the next level.

On AFC’s behalf, the aim is to help these local Instructors become AFC Instructors and eventually FIFA Instructors. FUTURO III Courses use a regional format, assembling and educating Instructors selected by the Member Associations from neighbouring countries in a centralised venue. This is done by FIFA every year.

Our job as RDO’s (Refereeing Development Officer) of the Confederation is to zero in on a venue and go ahead with the Course.

What made you choose India as the venue for this year’s Course?

A lot of developmental activities and Courses are being conducted by the All India Football Federation for the Referees. I must congratulate Col. Goutam Kar, (Head of Referees, AIFF) for this. We had earlier organised another FIFA FUTURO-III Special Course in New Delhi last March. The Course was specifically allotted to India, keeping in mind its vastness.

However, FIFA FUTURO III Refereeing Instructors Course will be a much bigger affair and it’s high time India host such an event. Thirteen Asian Countries will take part with each Country allotted three seats for Technical Instructors including one Lady Instructor.

Two seats for each Country have also been allotted for Referees Fitness Instructor including one Lady Instructor. Over 60 participants are expected for the event.

What is the significance of the Course?

It is a Course where the Instructors are assessed and prepared for the next level. It stays important that the Instructors are actively involved with their respective Federations after they attend the Course. This Course will aim to improve teaching methodology using new tools and focused on the importance of referee assessment.

They need impart the knowledge after the Course is over. No one will be a tourist.

This is serious business. We want more number of Instructors from our Confederation to reach the highest level and become a FIFA Instructor. At present there are 12 FIFA Instructors from AFC.

How do you assess the overall quality of Indian Instructors and Referees?

As I said, with the number of activities increasing and Courses on the rise, the development of Referees is bound to happen. Their standards are bound to improve and that is what is happening in India at the moment. Since India are the hosts, a total of eight participants (Technical Instructors and Fitness Instructors) have been taken on board.

At this rate of progress, India will soon have Referees in the FIFA World Cup.

Tell us something about the roles of Technical Instructors and Fitness Instructors.

A Technical Instructor will educate the participants about the Laws of the Game. Practical knowledge will also be imparted on the field.

At the same time, a Fitness Instructor’s job is to look after the physical condition of the Referees. This is an important aspect of the game. A Referee needs to be physically fit to make the best decisions.

How did your Inspection go?

It went fine. The AIFF Team comprising of Col Goutam Kar and Mr. Ashok Arora (Manager, Logistics) were very corporative. Their eagerness to provide the best facilities was understandable. We surveyed the grounds and hotels. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has been chosen for the practical sessions. All looks just fine.