Curtworth Masango-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe Football Association yesterday begun an intensive 20-day Video Assistant Referee training programme as the country moves closer to introducing the technology in domestic football.
The FIFA-supported programme will run until November 16, with the official opening ceremony scheduled for Tuesday at 11am.
The training marks a significant step in ZIFA’s efforts to modernise refereeing standards and address concerns over controversial officiating decisions in local football.
Participants will undergo four phases of instruction, beginning with theoretical education and simulation exercises before progressing to practical match situations and full-match assessments.
The first phase, which runs until Thursday, will introduce officials to VAR principles and basic simulation exercises aimed at familiarising them with the technology.
The second phase, scheduled for October 31 to November 4, will focus on practical training through simulated match situations, allowing officials to develop their decision-making and communication skills.
Participants will then undergo short-match exercises from November 6-10 before progressing to full-match practical assessments between November 12 and 16.
Training sessions are scheduled to run from 8:30am to midday and 1:30pm to 5pm, with rest days separating the different phases.
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi has been at the forefront of the initiative, which forms part of the association’s broader programme to improve football administration and officiating standards.
The association has previously indicated that the introduction of VAR will be implemented in phases, with selected domestic competitions earmarked for the initial rollout.
The National Sports Stadium, Rufaro Stadium and Barbourfields Stadium have been identified among the venues targeted for the technology’s introduction.
The training programme comes amid growing calls for improved refereeing standards following a series of contentious decisions in domestic competitions.
VAR assists match officials in reviewing potentially match-changing incidents involving goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards and cases of mistaken identity.
However, the on-field referee retains the final authority over decisions.
The technology’s introduction requires officials to undergo specialised training and satisfy FIFA’s certification requirements before being authorised to use the system in competitive matches.
ZIFA is also expected to develop the necessary operational framework to govern the technology’s deployment in domestic football.
The successful completion of the programme would represent a major milestone in the association’s efforts to strengthen officiating standards and restore confidence in refereeing decisions.
