By Isaac Eranga
Ekpoma – Edo State Chairman of Football Referees Council, Mr. Johnbull Nosa Okundolor has expressed the need for football bodies to collaborate with tertiary institutions in order to improve football professionalism in Nigeria.
Mr. Okundolor stated this when Executives of the Edo State Football Referees Council (ESFRC) paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Prof. Ignatius Akhakhia Onimawo.
He said they decided to visit the Vice Chancellor (VC) because of the role he is playing to develop football in the nation.
“I like to commend the VC for organising football competitions among the various communities in the university’s environment; this has greatly helped in producing professionals that will help sustain the temple of football development in the nation.
“This cannot be achieved without the football referees who are the interpreters of the laws of the game.
“Referees activities, include: recruitment, training and development of Referees”, the Edo Referees boss said.
Mr. Okundolor also used this medium to appeal to the VC to always grant permission to staff who are members of the Referees Council to honour match appointments.
Speaking, the Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Prof. Ignatius Akhakhia Onimawo, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Jude Agho commended Edo Referees for their professional role in improving football professionalism in Edo State and said the institution is ready to partner with the Council to further develop the game in the State.
“I want to thank you for having a successful election. I want to use this medium to declare our readiness to collaborate with the Council, and we shall not fail in involving Referees, in all our matches”, he said.
The VC also said staffers that are Referees will be allowed to honour their match appointments. “It is part of the development of the game”, he added.
The management staff present at the visit were Pastor Richard Osagie Udazee representing the Bursar, and the University PRO, Edward Aihevba.
