KUALA LUMPUR – The AFC’s Elite Men and Women Referees courses began on Thursday as 75 of Asia’s top match officials embarked on the five-day programmes held as part of AFC’s Elite Education Seminar 2008.

The courses, which will include practical and theoretical sessions as well as fitness tests, are seen as a way of helping to develop the best quality referees, as AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam pointed out.

“We began our Elite program in 2006 to create the best pool of officials for the Confederation’s matches.

“The AFC cannot organise any competitions without referees and the level of their performances should be the only criteria for selection. Every match is going to be monitored from now on.”