Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Manama, Bahrain: AFC Elite Referee Instructor Hani Balan has added another feather to his cap.
He is now the proud author and publisher of the book “My vision on refereeing”.
"The 230-page book which is the first of its kind in the Middle East is in Arabic and broken into 23 chapters," said Hani Balan.
It revolves mainly around refereeing matters such as management, leadership, fitness, nutrition, training and motivation, and also includes historical data on Asian referees who have been in action in the World Cup.
Hani presented the book to Nidal Al Hadid, the FIFA Development Officer in Amman, Jordan and Sheikh Ahmad B Hamad Al Khalifah, the Bahrain Olympic Committee General Secretary, at the beginning of a FIFA refereeing course here last week which Hani was instructing.
The labour of love took the Qatari 14 months to complete and self-publish, a project in which the Vice Chairman of the Qatar Referees Committee conducted his own research through books, interviews and authorities such as AFC and FIFA.
Hani said the book is not only a recollection of facts but also contains scientific data for those who wish to have reference into the world of refereeing.
Hani, a FIFA referee himself from 1998-2004, dug into his own experience to share his personal perspective of the world football refereeing in the book.
A regular contributor to articles in sports magazines at home in Qatar, Hani said that the book is his first and he has printed 1,000 complimentary copies.
“This is my contribution to all who are concerned about the world of football, especially refereeing.
“However the books is also suitable reading for instructors, assessors, players, officials and the general fans of football”, Hani said.
The FIFA Refereeing Assistance Programme (RAP) instructor said he has no plan so far to sell the book which was launched early this year.
“An English version is set to be released early 2012,” he said.