AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The Match Commissioner and Referee Assessor Education Course ended successfully at the AIFF Headquarters in Football House on Tuesday (September 3, 2013).

The 22 Match Commissioners, who took part in the Course aimed at improving the standard of Refereeing ahead of the rigorous I-League Season through correct Referee Assessment procedures, were all effusive in praise about the Unique Seminar.

Speaking at the Closing Ceremony, AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das said: “This is an important step towards improving refereeing decisions on the football pitch. I am sure the three-day Course was fruitful and in line with AIFF’s aim of developing referees.”

AIFF Head of Referees Col. Goutam Kar maintained: “The three days were very productive as well as interactive. The role of a Referee Assessor and a Match Commisioner is distinct and since our participants need to don both the hats, such a Course is very much needed.

“During the length of the Course, we studied the AFC Module thoroughly and educated the participants about the new Regulations particularly in Referee Assessment.

“It is not an easy job being both the Referee Assessor and Match Commissioner. But all these 22 Participants have the ability to fulfill the dual responsibility. They have shown their potential in the past and have been very receptive throughout the length and breadth of this Course,” he added.

Anthony John D’Costa, one of the Participants said: “Along with football, AIFF is also focusing on referee development, and that is heartening to see. Such Courses of Match Commissioners and Referee Assessors before every I-League season is helpful in a number of ways.

“It brings an overall uniformity among all Match Commissioners present here. The percentage of mistakes also goes down as we are all learning the same thing under the same roof for three days.”

Match Commissioner Walter Pereira highlighted the importance of following Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Model in terms of Referee Assessment.

“The fact we stay updated to the AFC Module every year while covering Referee Assessment is wonderful. This year also we have been made aware of the changes in AFC Regulations thus enabling us to implement them in our work.”

AK Mamukoya lavished praise on the Federation for oprganising such Unique Courses regularly for better implementation of the Laws of the Game.

“The job of a Match Commissioner/Referee Assessor is very challenging. The final call rests with us and there is no room for mistakes. This Course helps us immensely in preparing for the upcoming Season. We all assemble here and learn together. This is a boon.”    

Chaitali Paul, one of the two women Match Commissioners attending the three-day meet for the first time felt privileged to be a part of the entire entourage.

“I am very proud to be part of the Elite Match Commissioner’s Team for the first time. It’s like a dream come true. The participants here have been my teachers in the past, like Mr. Andrews who took my exams once. Sharing the dais with them and Goutam Sir of course is an honour,” said Chaitali, emotions welling up.

The list of Match Commissioners/Referee Assessors are:

Mrinal Roy, RD Show, J Ravishankar, Rizwan Ul Haq, JS Nagvenkar, Gulab Chauhan, Sumanta Ghosh, Supriya Bhattacharya, Binod Kumar Singh, Ak Mamukoya, CM Ramesh Babu, S Suresh, P Basker, Walter Pereira, Dhanraj More, Michael Andrews, K.Sankar, Anthony John D’Costa, Gokuldas Nagvenkar, PK Bose, Chaitali Paul, Anamika Sen.