Five refs can control world game

By GABRIEL LAHOC
WORLD soccer body, FIFA, has recognised four local referees through its referee assistance programme.
The five referees were accredited during the NSL double header in Lae last weekend.
Five of them, including the only female, Wanting Yagum from Morobe, were recognised as assistant referees, while Amos Anio was declared a FIFA referee.
The others were Cedmond Pangai from Kundiawa, Roger Adams from Goroka and Norman Bafinu from Lae.
This follows a training of local instructors which enable and improve on training of referees.
According to Papua New Guinea Football Association secretary general Dimirit Mileng, Anio can officiate as a referee in any FIFA sanctioned international matches in the Oceania region and around the world upon FIFA’s invitation.
Likewise, the assistant referees will also officiate at the sidelines of any FIFA sanction matches.
“They have got FIFA badges and can referee any FIFA sanctioned tournaments upon FIFA invitation, it is the same with assistant referees, plenty of these tournaments will be in the Oceania region,” Mileng said.
Only their age will hold them back, there is a cut off age at 45,” Mileng said.
He confirmed that Wanting officiated in the European leg of the FIFA under-17 women’s tournament and already has that international experience as an assistant referee.
 Representatives from FIFA’s regional body, Oceania Football Confederation technical director Patrick Jacqumet  and head of women’s football Nicola Demaine, who took time out to watch the Telikom National Soccer League double header at the Sir Ignatius Kilage stadium in Lae, made the presentation during halftime of the first match.
The FIFA recognition and award was a boost for the rugby league dominated highlands region.
Highlands regional technical instructor Jimmy Warai was delighted with the recognition and thanked everyone involved.
He said the recognition for Goroka and Kundiawa-based referees was the first of its kind.
“It is a major recognition,” Warai said.