THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) wrapped up a five-day FIFA-facilitated Futsal Referees’ Workshop at the National Resource Centre last Sunday, with the presentation of certificates of participation.
At the workshop, which began on December 5, 13 match officials from Berbice, Linden, Georgetown, West Demerara and Essequibo participated and were engaged in theory and practical exercises.

In giving brief remarks at the closing ceremony, GFF president Wayne Forde said he was pleased that the referees have stayed the course and completed the programme especially in light of the upcoming yearend futsal tournament. He urged the referees to invest in continuous personal and professional development.

“The referees have gotten much better for the duration of the course. Their knowledge has improved and they’re better suited to do the upcoming tournament,” FIFA Instructor Shane Butler said.
“There’s still some work and practice to be done on the mechanics/techniques but I have no doubt that they will be a success in the coming weeks.

“Basic football knowledge is high but areas which require additional work include positioning, mechanics and signals, which are outside of the book, they have not seen before. It will not be perfected overnight. It’s a gradual learning process and the more repetition is done, the better they will become.”

Butler, who was on his first international assignment as Instructor, said it has been a satisfying experience, pointing out, “I think it has been a great success and I look forward to more events and hopefully return to Guyana and see their knowledge and mine get better and we all grow and learn the game together.”
The practical sessions were held on Friday and Saturday at the National Gymnasium.