An AFC Women Referees and Assistant Referees Course 2015 came to close on Tuesday in the Malaysian capital.
Forty-two participants took part in the five-day course which was conducted by AFC Referee Instructors Ali Al Traifi, John Chia and Jacqui Hurford who handled the technical aspects while AFC Referee Fitness Instructors Ganesan Maniam and Zhang Lingling managed the physical fitness area.
Dato’ Alex Soosay, AFC General Secretary, officiated the closing and told the participants that the AFC appreciates their commitment and sacrifices and recognised their contribution to football both in Asia and throughout the world.
"You are here not here by chance,” he said, "You are here because you are the best. "Take one match at a time, each is an experience and build on that experience.”
Dato Alex added that 2015 had begun with tremendous success thanks to the AFC Asian Cup 2015, where records for television ratings and attendances were broken and performances of the teams were elevated.
The referees had to work harder due to the increased pressure, but in the end they did a remarkable job. This was due to the dedication of the instructors, assessors and match officials.
2015 is also the year of the FIFA Women’s World Cup with five Asian teams participating in the grand event scheduled to take place in Canada later in June. Some of the AFC’s women referees and assistant referees will be selected to officiate.
It is also the year for youth football in Asia, with the women’s U-16 and U-19 tournaments scheduled to take place later this year in China.
The AFC is also looking into the possibility of organising a women’s league and plans for a women’s futsal tournament have already been drawn up.
"All these tournaments are opportunities for the women officials. We need referees and assistant referees who are able and qualified. The AFC will provide you all with the support but you need to give your best,” concluded Dato’ Alex.
The AFC Women Referees and Assistant Referees Course is part of the AC Refereeing Seminar 2015 which will come to an end with the Futsal Referees Course in Kuala Lumpur and the Beach Soccer Referees Course which will take place later in March in Doha, Qatar, prior to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2015 - Asian Qualifiers.