By Llywellenie Mpasa:
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has said it has taken decisive steps to elevate the quality of match officiation as the TNM Super League kicks off Saturday.
Speaking at Mpira Village in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre, Fam General Secretary Alfred Gunda said stringent measures are in place to uphold the integrity of the game.
Gunda said officials who exhibit questionable judgement during matches will face immediate consequences, potentially being relieved from officiating duties.
“We observed last season that certain refereeing decisions tarnished the reputation of the game. We cannot allow the actions of a few individuals to diminish the passion of millions of fans,” he said.
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Gunda was speaking during the conclusion of a three-day training session for referees, assistant referees and assessors of matches in the elite league.
The training aimed to equip officials with the latest developments in officiating, including handling tactical fouls, offside rulings, match management, penalty area incidents and handball regulations in line with Ffa and Confederation of African Football standards.
Gunda said the local instructors’ programme was the inaugural step undertaken to prepare a proficient team of officials who would oversee Super League matches across all regions.
He emphasised on the second goal of Fam leadership, which underscores the aim of enhancing refereeing standards in the country and establishing refereeing as a respected and preferred profession.
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“This objective can only be realised through capacity-building initiatives such as this refresher course,” Gunda remarked.
Fifa referees instructor and Caf referees assessor Michael Makoto said the training centred on incorporating new Fifa concepts and underscoring the commitment to staying abreast of global officiating standards.
“We are devoted to ensuring that referees are equipped with the latest techniques and insights to officiate matches effectively and fairly. The initiative reflects Fam’s dedication to promoting fair play and enhancing the spectator experience in the upcoming season.
“With anticipation mounting for the kickoff of the Super League on April 6 [tomorrow], fans can expect a higher caliber of officiating that preserves the essence of the game and fosters a competitive, yet respectful, atmosphere on the field,” Makoto said.
Referees’ representative Mayamiko Kanjere said there are varying pressures associated with officiating games.
“We therefore propose that our allowances should be commensurate with the category of the match we have been assigned to. Fam should also consider reimbursing referees based on the level of the game being officiated,” Kanjere said.
He also urged Fam to aid the National Referees Association in securing funding for their attire and other equipment.
