Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Beijing: Their names will go down in the history book as the referees who officiated in an inaugural girls regional championship organised by the continent's football governing body AFC.
The women’s referees are relishing the opportunity to train and work in the U-14 Girls’ Regional Championship 2013 for East Asia which kicks off at the National Football Training Centre on Tuesday.
The referees took part in a preparatory course from May 30 to June 3 at the centre before the first whistle was blown for the first two matches – Japan vs DPR Korea in Group B and Guam vs Korea Republic in Group A – at 4pm.
They were trained by experienced instructors Krystyna Helena Szokolai (AUS) Jame Fong Yau Fat (HKG).
“I love this competition!,” said instructor Szokolai. “It's such a wonderful opportunity for everybody to be involved in youth football. It's a great chance for these referees to be able to further develop their skills and hopefully, an invitation to be selected for the AFC Project Future Referees programme.
“The AFC has such a great initiative for the next referees of the future with Project Future, and I'm so proud to be a part of it. It's the only one of its kind in the world.”
This year is the launching year of the regional girls’ championship covering four regions – West, South and Central, ASEAN and East.
Previously the competitions were called the ‘Girls Festivals of Football’ and carried out in an educational manner.
The festivals and now the girls’ regional championships are also where candidates for Project Future Referees, the continent’s coveted two-year rigorous future referees grooming programme, are chosen.