The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Referees Department has chosen twenty-six referees from various regions to take part in the FIFA Refereeing Assistance Programme (RAP) and Futsal Referee Instructors Course which opened last Friday at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Plantation Liliendaal in Georgetown.

The five-day training programme focuses on enhancing match officiating in both traditional and futsal football formats.
The October 20 opening ceremony was attended by GFF President Wayne Forde, FIFA Referee Development Officer Javier Santos, FIFA referee instructors, Rohan Thobourne, Dianne Ferreira-James and Shane Butler, along with Concacaf Referee Manager, Dave Miekle.

The diverse group of participants, including seven female referees, were selected from Berbice, Linden, Georgetown, and Kamarang to attend the internationally recognised theoretical and practical training programme.

RAP has been at the forefront of enhancing the quality of refereeing through education and assistance, uplifting both traditional football and futsal in the region since 2008.
In his opening remarks, GFF President Forde expressed his satisfaction with the rise in female participants and urged the group to recognise the significant investment being made by FIFA and GFF in their development as game officials, and to give more than 100 percent.

Over the next few days, referees will undergo assessments in game knowledge and receive training on the interpretation and application of traditional football and futsal laws.
Theory sessions will take place at GOA, while field and fitness sessions will be held at the Georgetown Football Club Ground.

Certificates will be awarded on October 23.