By Isaac Eranga
Chairman, Edo State Football Referees Council, Mr. Johnbull Nosa Okundolor, has called on Edo State Football Referees to reflect on the achievements made in 2020 and thank God despite the incidences of Covid-19 pandemic that ravaged the world.
He wished the Referees a prosperous New year and called on them to prepare for 2021.
The Premier league Referees Assessor made this call recently, while fielding questions from newsmen in Benin City. He used the medium to wish the Referees a productive New year.
Okundolor also extended the wishes to all football enthusiasts and administrators in Edo State, saying: “We owe God thanks especially for His divine protection.”
He further stated: “I want to thank God for protecting my Referees throughout year 2020; we were not victims of both the Covid-19 pandemic and the stray bullets released during the #EndSARS protests which claimed the lives of many. This New year celebration is indeed a season of sober reflection and thanksgiving.
“In the year 2020, we had new entrants into the Premiership cadre of the Nigeria Football Federation/ the Nigeria Football Referees Association. The number of Premier league Referees Assessors in Edo State increased, while a female Referee passed the highly coveted FIFA fitness test.
“As we approach 2021, I want Edo Referees to set goals and formulate plans that can help them achieve the goals so far set. These goals should include training goals, Cooper test goals, Exam goals (for those writing refereeing national common entrance exam), health goals, spiritual goals, and career goals. The plans could be in two options – options A and B. 2021 has a lot of bounties for all Referees but they are for those that plan to succeed.”
Okundolor officially announced that the 2021 keep fit program of Edo Football Referees Council commences January 9, 2021 and called on members to pay their affiliation fees to their various Referees Society.
