Class ‘A’ Referees To Officiate At Martial Arts Tourney

Emmanuel Oghenejobo,
the Coordinator of the Agoma Open Martial Arts Championships, has said that only international and national class A referees would be allowed to officiate at the event.
Oghenejobo told newsmen in Lagos that the championships would hold at the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin-City, Edo, from May 13 to 15.
He said the purpose of selecting referees of such calibre was to ensure that officiating was free and fair.
The coordinator stressed, “referees in these categories are abreast of current trends in the martial arts.
“They will bring their knowledge to bear on the event, without sentiments, because the competition will attract competent athletes of various martial arts, from within and outside the country’’.
According to him, the organising committee of the championships has concluded arrangements to send letters of invitation to the referees.
“In order to avoid setbacks, we have identified those that have the required qualifications. We will begin to send official letters to them from this week,’’ he said.
Oghenejobo, also the President of the Agoma Sports International, said the organisation would only be responsible for the accommodation, feeding and allowances covering the days of the competition.
He said the invited referees would transport themselves to and from the competition venue, “these are major areas that we have to define, so that everybody will be aware’’.
The coordinator added that a joint technical workshop — coaching and refereeing — would hold on May 14 at the Media Centre, National Stadium, Lagos, to ascertain their preparedness.
He advised the invited referees and coaches to come along with their individual sports pants and smart tops, as they would be expected to dress properly during the one-day workshop.