BY STEPHEN FAROBO
29 local referees in the Solomon Islands have undergone a weeklong refereeing course workshop.
The workshop was held at the Solomon Islands Football Federation’s (SIFF) Allen Boso Academy in KGVI, east of Honiara.
This is part of the focus on youth development ushered in by the new Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) executive committee, led by President, William Lai. This includes a multipronged approach aimed at rebuilding a foundation for the future of football among youth.
Speaking to this paper, one of the female participants, Natalia Gila Lumukana expressed her interest in becoming a football referee.
“I’m proud as a young woman attending this FIFA training, it will boost further my interest in football and discover new experiences in terms of refereeing,” she said.
Asked about why she decided to become a woman referee, she said: “It was because of my interest in sports, that’s what drives me to become a referee.”
“I have a personal interest in football although I’m a woman, it is my hobby playing the sport, so I have decided to train as a referee and understand better the rules of the game everyone in the Solomon Islands wants to watch,” she added.
Although still at a very early stage of her refereeing career, Natalia has big dreams for the future.
“I dream of officiating in a match at the world cup, whether it’s the men’s or the women’s FIFA world cup, I’m working towards achieving that, I think it is not impossible,” she said.
Natalia understands football is a male-dominated sport in the Solomon Islands and that is why she is so motivated to progress.
She encourages other women to discover what they are passionate about and try to achieve the impossible.
The youth refereeing course will prepare referees for the Telekom S-League Youth Division League which is scheduled to take place next month.
The competition will be played in the Under-19 age category and will feature the next generation of the nation’s best footballers.
As such it is anticipated that a new generation of referees will be formed when the course commences. This generation comprises referees who joined the refereeing establishment in the last two to three years.
According to the SIFF refereeing development officer, Justin Mutukera, this is a huge opportunity for setting young referees on the path to their dreams.
“This is unique in the sense that such a high caliber course is being made available to referees at this level. Normally, referees have to rise through the ranks over 5-10 years before they get the benefits t of FIFA training so I encourage our young referees to utilize this opportunity well,” Mutukera says.
The participants of this course are selected by the SIFF referee development office based on the involvement of referees in SIFF competitions organized in 2015.
The list of candidates for the course is as follows: Miriam Tore, Charles Sau, Daley Tesuatai, Pressley Junior Fafoekona, Natalia Qila Lumukana, Brendon Allen, Thomas Beu, Timothy Niu, Rudyard Malie, Rosevitta Lauka, Patrina Sua, Ingrid Maeuta, Rose Teku, Janet Hoasira, Agnes Ogami, Silas Angitau, Charles Vinei, Sharma Mamae, Andy Hollys Wate, John Menguma, Hugo Sogakolo, Warren Mani, Moses Haumau, George Hugo Karen Rove, John Ruriti, John Tii, Gregory Houakau, and Maxwell Alui.
The SIFF Secretariat is continuing to register referees for the course which starts in February this year.
The course is open only to referees who have completed the SIFF Basic Refereeing certificate training and have undergone the practical experience.
