PNGFA, Fifa running women’s refereeing course

THE Papua New Guinea Football Association, in collaboration with Fifa, is hosting a women’s refereeing course in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands.
The course, which started last Thursday, will end this week.
This was the first course for Fifa’s member associations since a similar programme was last held in 2014.
According to association refereeing boss Jimmy Warai, this was part of Fifa and the Oceania Football Confederation’s refereeing assistance and education programme for member associations.
Warai who is also a Fifa instructor, said the course targeted elite women referees for top-tier competitions, including the Women’s National Soccer League.
The association only has one female fourth official, Stephanie Minane, and its aim is to develop more referees.
Association general secretary Pius Letenge, who officiated at the opening of the course, urged the participants to embrace the changes in football.
“The course was initially scheduled for October, but due to the Coronavirus situation, it didn’t eventuate,” he said.
“Now with the support of the Western Highlands Health Authority, the association’s refereeing department managed to host the course from Dec 17-22.”
Facilitators attending the course included a Fifa woman international assistant referee and an assistant referee from the confederation.
The course was facilitated by Fifa technical and fitness instructors with support from the association’s national referee assistance programme team.
A similar course for other member associations around the country is expected to be held next month.