EMPOWERING THE FOOTBALL REFEREES TO ENHANCE & STRENGTHEN THEIR PERFORMANCES ……..

Modern times demand that Football Referees are physically and mentally alert and fully fit. He should be committed and totally focused on the laws of the game. The referees have to make split-second impartial and correct decisions without being influenced by players on the field, coaches in the technical area and/or any external factors.

I had an opportunity to meet Madhav Suvarna, who had been an ex FIFA Referee, Referees Instructor & Match Commissioner for Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and All India Football Federation (AIFF). Functioned as Hon. Secretary AIFF Referees Board from 2001 to 2004. At the present time he holds the position of Vice Chairman AIFF Referees Examination Board and Member of the Referees Development Committee.

Q. What prompted you to take up refereeing?
A. Basically it was a tremendous love for the game and since I was employed with the Central Bank of India the facilities had been given to me and I decided to make the best use of it and grow successfully in this endeavour.

Q. Share with us your climb to the top as a football referee?
A. Enrolled as a qualified referee of the Bombay Referees Association in 1969; and promoted to the National Cadre in 1979. Had been selected to FIFA panel in 1985 and continued in the FIFA panel till December 31, 1991. Selected as AFC Match Commissioner / Referees Instructor from 1992 and continuing till date. Moreover, I had refereed a good number of matches abroad for the Pre-Olympics at Doha, Qatar and Yemen; the Pre-World Cup at Amman in 1990 and at Kaohsiung in 1991. That apart I officiated some of the Asian Youth championships and the 8th Asian Cup Women's football Championship including the final match between Japan and China.

Q. You have told us about your assignments abroad how about the domestic front?
A. Officiated major tournaments in India like the Nehru Gold Cup from 1986 to 1991 and also the South Asian Federation Cup at Calcutta in 1987. The National Championships, Federation Cup and other major tournaments in India were also a part of my assignments. I am happy to inform you that I had been awarded the “Best Referee of the Tournament” the Durand Cup in 1990 from the then President of India Mr. Shankar Dayal Sharma.

Q. As a Referees Instructor abroad you had a vast experience. Could you enlighten our readers?
A. It is true that for the last 15 years I have been going to different countries on various assignments as Referees Instructor. My experience is that the set up of referees' development in foreign countries is at a very high level. The financial position plays a very important role in this activity. Secondly these countries being very small compared to India - have one language one climate, hence monitoring the referees' activities and providing them effective training becomes very easy. The referees in foreign countries officiate matches in other countries on an EXCHANGE PROGRAMME. This enhances their exposure and the referees involved in matches at domestic level get lots of encouragement and financial support from the Government of their country. The competent authorities depute good referees for high level training and also invite good instructors from outside to train their referees.

These countries promote refereeing at a very early age between 20-25 years with incentive training. In all foreign countries there is a full-time referees department attached to the Federation with reasonable salary paid to the persons working in the referees department. Finally the foreign referees have lot of exposure hence they develop faster. THE REFEREES ARE COMMITTED TO THEIR PROFESSION and there is total monitoring by the Development Committee of referees. Again it is very necessary that sufficient funds and dedicated personnel are needed to take care of referees development.

Q. What do you think about the standard of referring in the current 11th NFL matches?
A. The standard of refereeing has very much improved in our NFL. Our referees are doing a good job as they get more and more matches in our domestic tournaments. The AIFF is also monitoring their performances regularly. It is also proved that we have very good referees since our International referees regularly get assignments in the FIFA and AFC Championships. I personally feel there is still room for improvement especially in NFL matches. The areas are consistency and uniformity in application of laws. These areas are to be arrested by regular training and monitoring performances of referees in NFL. Performance level based incentive for promotions and demotions may help the current set back wherein the referees will be extra careful in their commitments to good refereeing. Since the NFL is the premier tournament of our country and the sponsors are very much interested in smooth running of the tournament and teams are fighting for handsome prize money - perfect refereeing is very much needed to achieve the desired goal by the AIFF. Therefore special attention and effective monitoring is essential to curb the defective area in the performances of referees in NFL.

     Looking Ahead & Beyond

CRICKET FEVER HAS INDIANS HOT & EXCITED

Team India has to reassess its strategy,tactics and mind games:

Almost a month before the World Cup Australia faced a crop of injuries to some of their star players. Even more alarming was their recent debacle when they lost five back to back matches against England and New Zealand. They have now managed to steady their boat and appear to be smooth sailing capable of reaching the Super 8. As the preliminary rounds took shape the future of the World Cup looks better and brighter as debutante Ireland and minnows Bangladesh created quite a stir and coasted to comfortable victories over Pakistan and India respectively. It is evidently clear that these two teams have narrowed the gap of the competition and given a competitive edge with their body language, tenacity and highly inspirational play.

On the other hand New Zealand is a team to watch and could be considered the dark horse. Players like Stephen Fleming, Craig McMillan and Scott Styris will have huge roles to play. They are all seasoned campaigners and their experience in the middle will count a lot. Peter Fulton is another player who is shaping up well and will be an asset to the side. Their bowling attack has the ability to run through the opposition and put the brakes on the scoring.

There is not an iota of doubt about it that cricket played over the years has now become bigger as records keep tumbling when Herschelle Gibbs from South Africa hit six “sixes” to establish an international record. Moreover - the South African team amassed 353 runs so far the highest - winning the match by 221 runs against Netherlands. As though this was not enough Mark Boucher hit the fastest 50 and made the rest of the field shudder with fear. The game has made and will continue to make huge progress since its inception in 1975 when West Indies lifted the Cup. In fact no other cricketing event has enjoyed such a resounding success and the grandiose tournament has permanently assumed superlative dimension.

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