Academy Proprietor Targets Production Of Quality Officials, Referees

Deputy Speaker of Oyo
State House of Assembly Babatunde Olaniyan, said the establishment of Referees’ Academy in Ibadan would help the country to produce young FIFA badge referees.
Olaniyan, the proprietor of a Referee Academy, told a news conference in Ibadan that his motive for establishing the academy was to identify referees at young ages.
He said it was wrong for some old referees to criticise the establishment of a laudable programme targeted at grooming young referees.
Some referees have criticised the setting up of the academy in the state.
“Those that have negative opinions about the establishment of the academy are not sincere about the development of refereeing in the country.
“My aim for establishing the academy is to produce young FIFA badge referees in the country. The boys in the academy are from seven years and above. Many have already completed their grade two courses and about to write the grade one exams” .
Olaniyan said the academy would help the state to develop football in the country.
The deputy speaker urged those against the programme to have a change of heart and rather support the project.
He said that some of the student referees officiate some friendly games involving big clubs in the state.