Initiated by the AFC Referees Department, the first workshop comprised two sessions focusing on the new changes to the Futsal Laws of The Game for 2020/2021 while strengthening and refreshing the knowledge of futsal match officials during the COVID-19 pandemic where futsal competitions are still suspended in some Asian countries.

Participants have been gaining valuable information from AFC Futsal Referee Technical Educator Badrul Hisham from Malaysia as well as AFC Futsal Referee Instructor and FIFA Futsal Experts Panel Member Yasuhiro Matsuzaki from Japan in the online workshops.

In this new initiative organised by the AFC Referees Department, the academy modules were designed with two sessions for Batches from the year’s 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively.

A total of 34 referees participated in the Batch 2017 programme which focused on both technical topics, such as the amendments to the Laws of The Game 2020/2021, and Video Assistant Referees (VAR) Protocols & Practicalities.

Over 300 participants from across the Continent, consisting of Elite Men and Women Referees and Assistant Referees as well as newly recruited Referees joined the courses which have focused on theoretical education, online discussions and fitness.

Participants of the three-day seminar, which saw eight male and female instructors from six Member Associations take part, were put through their paces with a comprehensive curriculum aimed at enhancing the quality of refereeing fitness education and training programmes across Asia.

The participants benefitted from the seminars in preparation for the upcoming season where a strong line-up of AFC futsal competitions are scheduled, including the AFC Futsal Championship Turkmenistan 2020 from February 26 to March 8.

With the aim of producing more world-class match officials, participants undergo a structured programme focused on practical, theoretical, classroom sessions, technical education and fitness. They are also educated on the latest amendments to the Laws of the Game.

It was a successful year in 2019 with Batch 2017 completing five modules of the Intermediate Level, while Batch 2018 underwent the full Introductory Level and kicked off the first module of the Intermediate Level from December 8 to 12, 2019.

The opening ceremony honoured eight referees and assistant referees who were presented the AFC Referees Memento Award. The officials were recognised for their outstanding service in raising the refereeing standards in Asia.