The FIFA FUTURO-III Refereeing Instructors’ Course for South Asia and Central Region Closing Ceremony was held in New Delhi on Monday (August 16, 2013).

Sri Lanka’s Mr. Muhiseen Ariff, Refereeing Development Officer – FIFA, South Asia/Central Region, addressed the gathering while Refereeing Course Coordinator from FIFA Dominic Chielens distributed certificates to the 43 Participants.

“The Course was a great success. This Course is all about enlightening the Instructors so that they can pass on the knowledge in their respective Federations. The aim is to produce more number Instructors from the Region,” Ariff said.

Chielens was very impressed with the Indian Instructors.

“The fitness levels of the Indian Referees are really good. They clocked great speed in the 40 metre fitness tests which impressed me a lot,” emphasized Chielens.

“FUTURO-III is done across all 209 member associations, and I must say India as a host and as a potential in terms of referee development, has thrilled me. There can be no reason why we cannot have Indian referees at the top level,” he added.

AIFF Head of Referees Col. Goutam Kar thanked the delegation for their support all throughout. “I need to thank the FIFA Instructors Ishiyama Nobaru from Japan, Maniam Ganeshan from Singapore and Ravichandran Chappanimutu for their support.

“They helped the Participants with better understanding of the finer aspects of refereeing in both Technical as well as Fitness areas,” he added.

The two aspects of this Course were Technical and Fitness Course. While Mr. Ishiyama Nobaru took care of the Technical sessions, Mr. Maniam Ganeshan and Mr. Ravichandran Chappanimutu presided over the Fitness drills.

Thanking FIFA, Kar said:“I need to thank FIFA for allowing Futuro III to be held exclusive in India. We stay indebted to FIFA.

“This is the first time of its kind Course for Refereeing Instructors’ held in India and will benefit not only India but South Asia and Central Region as well.”

(Report & Picture courtesy AIFF Media)