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Referees undergo fitness test
Performances of FIFA officials pleasing – Lawrence Griffith
Two referees failed to mesh up to the rigid qualifying standards, when the Guyana Referees Football Council (GFRC) staged a fitness test for its affiliates at the Old Guyana National Service Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue, Saturday morning, last.
Nevertheless, the facilitator, Lawrence ‘Sparrow’ Griffith is satisfied with the general performance of the officials.
Griffith was ably assisted by FIFA female referees, Dianne Ferreira James and Otis James. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport shortly after the culmination of the exercise, Griffith said that the occasion attracted 20 male officials and two females.
He said that the inability of the two officials to successfully complete the rigid course would not hamper their careers, but those officials would want to examine their performances and ascribe to improve on them in the next evaluation slated for September 12, next.
He further said that the just concluded test should have been the second for the year, but the inclement weather during the month of April, had forced the abortion of the first.
The test is a stringent prerequisite of the ruling football organisation, FIFA and the referees are required to pass each test, administered regularly to ascertain the fitness level of officials. FIFA officials also conduct tests before referees are appointed to international duty.
Among the activities set for the referees were six 40 meters sprints with a maximum time of 6 second per 40 meters. The referees were also required to sprint over a distance of 150 meters in just 30 seconds and a brisk walk that covered 50 meters. They were expected to complete this phase of the evaluation in 35 seconds. They were also severely tested in other exercises.
Griffith expressed delight at the performances of the officials and attributed this to their commitment and dedication. He is optimistic of a hundred percent pass rate at the next evaluation sessions.
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