2013/2014 Glo League: NRA To Test Members

The Nigeria
Referees Association (NRA) last Tuesday said it would organise a fitness test for its members, in preparation for the 2013/2014 Glo Premier League (GPL).
The Chairman of the association, Ahmed Maude, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
The 2013/2014 league is expected to kick off on November 22. The 2012/2013 season ended on October  20.
“We shall start the fitness test on November 5; we will be ready for the new season in no time.
“But I don’t think the November 22 resumption date is feasible, looking at the things on ground.
“The Nigeria Football Association must hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) before the league kicks off. Registration of new players and other issues may not make the date feasible.
“However, we will be ready, irrespective of when the league is resuming,’’ Maude said.
On his assessment of the 2012/2013 league, in terms of officiating and security at match venues, the chairman said that it was competitive.
“Until the last day of the season, nobody was sure of the winner or those to be relegated; it was keenly contested, only that some of my officials were beaten.
“Assault on referees is one of the salient issues that will be discussed at the NFA AGM, it should stop.
“I challenge anybody to pinpoint 10 badly officiated matches in the 385 we participated in; I think we did very well, last season.
“But that is not to say that we will rest on our oars, we will continue to strive for perfection, as far as officiating is concerned,’’ the chairman added.