CECAFA Lauds Fifa Referee Development Course in Dar Es Salaam

By Shafi'i Mohyaddin Abokar

The council of east and central Africa football Associations (CECAFA) has vehemently welcomed the undergoing Futuro III refereeing course in Tanzania where referee instructors from English speaking African countries are studying at a high level FIFA course which will last until 22nd of September.

"The holding of such course is very good for our zone. It really empowers and motivates our referees. I want to thank the world's football governing body FIFA and that of Africa CAF for organizing this wonderful opportunity," CECAFA secretary General Nicholas Musonye told in an interview with CECAFA Media Tuesday.

The FIFA Futuro III refereeing course kicked off in Tanzanian capital Dar Es Salaam on Monday 17th of September and will continue until 22nd of September.

"Of course as the CECAFA region our wish is to see our referees officiating at the highest level tournaments such as FIFA World cup, cup of Nations and world Olympic Games," Secretary General Musonye replied when asked if CECAFA was hoping to see its referees at big competitions like world cup.

CECAFA Media asked Mr. Musonye if there had been referees from his region who ever officiated world cup before and he replied.

"Yes, CECAFA had so far fielded referees in the world cup before. Just recently-we had Ali Tomusange from Uganda and Celestine Ntangungira from Rwanda and I am more hopeful that we will have a bigger number of referees at future world cup competitions," Mr. Nicholas Musonye emphasized during Tuesday's interview with CECAFA Media.

Since he came to office more than a decade ago Secretary General Nicholas Musonye made big changes in the CECAFA football growth in terms of development and the organization of successful tournaments.

Most notably he also took CECAFA tournaments to across the region including Eritrea who hosted U-20 tournament for development and friendship in August 2012. That was the first time in history that Eritrea hosted a CECAFA competition.

Shafi'i Mohyaddin Abokar is the NewsBlaze Somalia reporter. Contact him through NewsBlaze. Read more stories by Shafi'i Mohyaddin Abokar.