adminSports Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Referees Committee is conducting fitness tests and a refresher course for Class One and Two referees from the Southern Region and Masvingo.
The events, which end today, are conducted at Nust grounds and Elangeni Training Centre.
The ZRC held similar tests for the referees on the Zifa panel last weekend.
ZRC vice-chairman Brighton Malandule said they hold fitness tests every quarter as part of FIFA regulations to ensure referees are not found wanting during matches.
Match commissioners were also taken through a refresher course. He said this is the second re-test this year with the first having being held in February.
“It is the norm that we take our referees through refresher courses so they keep abreast with any new developments in refereeing while ensuring they have the requisite knowledge on their fingertips.
“Physical tests are compulsory because today’s game is demanding and we do not want any referee to be accused of spoiling matches hence the need for them to go through regular vigorous tests that ensure they remain at their best,” he said.
The referees are required to run 60 metres in six seconds and do so six times while maintaining the set time as part of the fitness test. They are then required to do 150 metres in 30 seconds followed by a 50 metre walk, which is termed recovery and is done in 35 seconds. The longer stretch is done over 12 laps to ensure referees’ fitness.
Malandule said before any umpire goes for the fitness test they are checked by a medical doctor to ensure they are healthy enough to complete the exercise.
“We cannot take risks when it comes to referees hence they go through a medical examination and if the doctor cites any problems that referee will not be allowed to run. In Nigeria, a referee died as he was going through a fitness test and we do not want any such experiences here.
“On Sunday (today) they will complete the course with a section we call integrated training that sees the practical and theoretical sides are brought together and do exercises on the field,” said Malandule.
The referees were taken through the fitness test by FIFA trained chief fitness instructor, Joseph Mususa while ZRC chief instructor, Sabelo Maphosa took the referees through the theory side of the course.
A referee has to pass the fitness test to be given the duty to officiate at games. The next re-tests for this year would be done in August and November.
A total of 103 referees and 45 match commissioners are attending the course while last week there were 58 referees and 21 commissioners.
derick.khumalo