Sports
Expert Blames Poor Recognition Of Female Referees On League
A FIFA badge referee, Bukonla Olisa, has attributed the poor recognition accorded to Nigerian female referees to the absence of an effective Women Premier League (NWPL).
Olisa, who also officiates at NWPL matches, told Tidesports that the league ought to contribute to the development of female referees but was not effective.
“We do not have a functional NWPL, I said functional because the league is not recognised as it should be.
“If the NWPL is functional and recognised like the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), a lot of women that are referees will come out and contribute to its development,’’ she said.
She said that the situation had led to women not usually being considered fit for officiating as the men, noting that men were preferred.
“We have a lot of women who officiate but they are not as many as the men. We also have a lot of women who are energetic.
“If the atmosphere is right, more women will be encouraged to officiate,’’ she said.
She also encouraged women aspiring to take to officiating not to relent on their dream because only those who have passion for it would find it interesting.
“The girls should have passion for officiating, they have to be determined, if not, they will not find the job interesting,’’ she said.
Olisa said that seminars should be organised for referees to ensure that they updated their knowledge.
Nigeria has seven FIFA certified women referees.
Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.
The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.
We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”
The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.
“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.
“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”
Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.
Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.
It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.
Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.
The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.
-
Rivers4 days agoRumuji Crisis Claims One Life, Destroys King’s Palace
-
Sports4 days agoArsenal Continue Impressive Start To Season
-
Maritime4 days agoStakeholders Advocate Water Transport To Decongest Road Transportation
-
News4 days agoIran vows to rebuild stronger nuclear sites
-
Oil & Energy4 days agoFG Reaffirms Commitment To Brass Gas Project
-
Rivers4 days ago
Group Urges Fubara To De-escalate Crisis In Emohua
-
Sports4 days agoBayern Continue Bundesliga Dominance
-
Business4 days agoItakpe Train Derailment: No Casualty Recorded — NRC