Delta FA Invites Britons To Train Football Officials

Posted by African Examiner Ignatius Okpara, Latest Headlines, Sports News Tuesday, May 20th, 2014

FROM IGNATIUS OKPARA, Asaba

As part of efforts to upgrade the knowledge of soccer officials in Delta, the leadership of the state Football Association (FA) has concluded arrangement for the arrival of three Britons into Nigeria who will conduct a week long clinic for coaches, referees, match assessors and Match Commissioners in the State.

Soccer guru and instructor, Mark Ellis, is expected to lead the experts from London, UK to Delta state.

Also in the entourage is a former assistant Coach of Arsenal Football Club and a respected UEFA and English FA Coach, Harry George Agombar, a Coach and former professional football player with Tottenham and Arsenal FC Neil Swarbrick, and current EPL referee who was at the centre when Chelsea FC drew at home against Norwich City few weeks ago in the just-concluded English season.

African Examiner sports recalled that the Warri City Stadium, venue of this year’s edition of the coaching Clinic, hosted a similar programme last year when Mark Ellis came in company of Jeff Winter, a retired EPL referee and Andrew Douglas, Director of Arsenal International Football Academy worldwide.

Speaking with sports Writers in Asaba Monday, chairman of Delta state FA. Mr. Amaju Pinnick, stated that the training for the coaches and referees became imperative because of the technical dynamism and depth of the game of football.

The Delta FA boss, regretted that despite Nigeria’s towering status in the football fraternity, smaller nations such as Seychelles and Djibouti have their referees on duty in the World Cup.

“We must do all we can to train and re-train our Coaches and Referees with some of the best hands, to better their lots, for optimal performance.’’ Amaju said.

However, the Delta FA board had in a recent press statement expressed its appreciation to the central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor-designate, Mr. Godwin Emefiele for nurturing the relationship between Zenith Bank and the state FA, appealing to the bank to maintain the partnership.