THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Petra Organisation teamed up yesterday morning to host a two-day workshop for Futsal referees.
The referees refresher course will continue today at the Federation’s Secretariat.
Head of the Refereeing Department at the GFF, Stanley Lancaster, conveyed the federation’s elation at hosting the workshop, given the influx of futsal tournaments in the country.

Lancaster explained tournaments of the past saw neglect in the administration of the correct rules and regulations for Futsal.
He noted that there are obvious differences between the way street football is played and indoor futsal, adding that there needs to be an improved dress code, with players wearing socks, shin pads and no armless clothing.

Petra’s co-Director Troy Mendonca stated that their assistance is part of a founding mandate to develop the sport. He hopes the course can help to create a product that is most marketable which can hopefully take Guyana into FIFA domain of futsal.

First vice-president of the Guyana Futsal Association, Mark Younge, said, “We have a chance to show what football is all about and we hope it doesn’t stop here, as our referees can go forward and be FIFA referees.”

More so, executive member and head of the National Referees Council, Dion Inniss, asked the participants to fully absorb the information being imparted and also thanked Petra for the support and future programmes like these which will encourage more tournaments countrywide.

The ten referees were chosen from Georgetown, Upper Demerara, West Demerara and Berbice Football Association.