Local refs leave for CAF assignment
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday April 14, 2015 18:00
The four, Joshua Bondo (referee), Meshack Medupi (assistant referee) and Oamogetse Gobotswamang (assistant referee) and fourth official, Kutlwano Leso, left for Sudan yesterday.
Chairman of the National Referees Committee Edwin Senai said the assignment is an indication that local match officials are doing well in the international arena.
He said the referees are raising the Botswana flag high. He mentioned that Bondo has recently officiated at the CAF Under 20 final that was played in Senegal recently.
He pointed out that Gobotswamang also excelled when he officiated at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations competition.
“It shows that we are doing something positive. As a way of developing match officials, we are going to have a Member Association Course from April 27 until May 1.
“Match officials from the Premier League and First Division will attend the course which will be conducted by officials from FIFA,” he said.
He explained that they encourage women and new referees to attend the course to avoid a gap that can be created when people like Bondo retire.
He said as long as the officials pass fitness test, they would attend the course. Senai stated that they have never had a referee failing a fitness test.
He said a referee should be fitter than the players because they have to cover the entire pitch during a match.