AIFF conducts a seminar for the development of the Indian referees

After providing coaching and training facilities to the players and the coaches, it was to facilitate the India referees with a coaching manual via a seminar. The article throws more light on the activities that just took place, during the development seminar for the Indian referees.

The Karnataka state football Association President A.R. Khaleel and the Chairman of the Airtel I-League, came forward to inaugurate a brief seminar that took place in Bengaluru, last Saturday ( 11th of Jan, 2014). The whole seminar was conducted for the Indian referees, wherein a brief was provided to them, on the intricacies of their profession and personal development. The referees were also given training on the newly formed rules, regulation and policies of FIFA and AIFF. One would like to believe, that seminars such as these, would raise the standard and game, of these individuals. The AIFF President Praful Patel, has been at the helm of affairs for AIFF. The recently concluded seminar and other grassroots programs, have gained a new dimension, especially after India’s triumph over countries, per se the home coming of the rights to host the Under 17 FIFA World Cup in the another 3 years time. Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel said that within these three years, India shall have world class Football stadiums that shall match the standards of FIFA. Even the India players, who so far failed to make a global impact, shall come out all guns blazing. It is also good news for the Indian football fans and supporters, who gave unrequited love to the game.

Head of Referees, All India Football Federation (Retd) Col. Goutam Kar, spoke on ‘Polices and Practices’ adopted by FIFA/AIFF for the Development of Referees and improvement of the standard of Referees in India. Kar along with E.Krishnanarayana, General Secretary of KSFA, M.P.Swamy, Chairman, and KSFA and BDFA officials attended the inaugural function. The head of the referees was also focusing on the aspects of the game such as women referees, grassroots programs, grading of referees, training, classification and grassroots referees. To add to the tally, he also emphasized on the fitness of the referees and why not! We often disregard the fact that the referees have as much as running to do on the field, as the players. In order to expect pioneer performance from these referees, it is important that the referees are given appropriate medical attention and training. Praful Patel’s contributions, to the Indian football has been noteworthy. Least to say, he has taken the game in India, to another level, something that just a wishful thinking, a few months back.

The recent seminar for the referees had Inayathulla Khan, Member AIFF Referees Committee, MS Krishnamurthy, Chairman Referees Committee of Karnataka, and MR Ranganath, Head of Referees Department of Karnataka for the due course of the Seminar.

To add to the tally, referees of other districts, former referees and footballers of Karnataka also attended the Seminar. It seems that the whole program was a huge hit and that the AIFF will indeed make way for many such programs, in the near future.

Also an NCP leader Praful Patel shall be putting is his efforts to enhance India’s chances of hosting the Club championships in 2015-16. For more information on Indian football, follow Praful Patel’s YouTube channel.