…hoping to develop fustal referees for FIFA duties
With the ultimate aim of developing future FIFA referees and grooming players under the correct rules of futsal, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in partnership with Petra Organisation opened their two-day futsal refresher course at their Secretariat on Saturday.
GFF’s Head of Refereeing Department and one of the facilitators, Stanley Lancaster told the gathering the course is highly welcomed by the federation given the influx of futsal tournaments in locally.
Sitting (L-R) First Vice-president of the Guyana Futsal Association Mark Younge, Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca, GFF Executive Member Dion Innis and GFF’s Head of Refereeing Department Stanley Lancaster
Lancaster explained tournaments of the past saw a neglect in the administration of the correct rules. Highlighting there is a difference between the way street football is played to indoor futsal, he mentioned there needs to be an improved dress code with players wearing socks, shin pads and no arm-less clothing; since implementing some of the rules, Lancaster said he has seen some improvement in an on-going tournament.
Petra’s Co-Director, Troy Mendonca expressed their assistance is part of a founding mandate to developed the sport. Mendonca’s hopes the course can help create a product that is most marketable which can hopefully take Guyana into FIFA domain of futsal. First Vice-president of the Guyana Futsal Association Mark Younge stated, “We have a chance to show what football is all about and we hope it doesn’t stop here as our referees can go forward and be FIFA referees.”
More so, Executive Member and head of the National Referees Council Dion Innis asked the participants to fully absorb the information being imparted. Innis also thanked Petra for their support and envisioned progammes like these will encourage more tournaments countrywide.
Ten futsal referees from Georgetown, Upper Demerara, West Demerara and Berbice Football Association are practicing in the course which concludes today.
