Eastern Referees undergo fitness test ahead of upcoming season

By Masejele Sulaiman

Referees totaling to 75 in number have successfully undergone a fitness test at Mbale city stadium in preparation for 2023-2024 season.

The objective of the exercise was to update the referees on the laws of the game as well as evaluate their fitness abilities on speed, endurance and movement on the pitch.

Ali Kalyango the FUFA Physical Fitness Referees’ instructor said, the fitness test is mandatory and helps in putting match officials in the right state ahead of the New season.

“The significance of the physical fitness tests is to ensure the quality of referees in the region and prepare them and I’m really impressed that the majority performed well,” Kalyango said.

He emphasized the Referees to maintain the three principles of Fitness, Integrity and Performance.

Kalyango added that, as a federation, every year they exercise the referees before the kick-off of the season.

“All referees in the country must undergo this exercise from the first division to the lowest division,” He revealed.

Abudallah Salim Kayiwa, the chairman Eastern Region Referees Association, commended the referees who turned up for physical tests and were determined for the exercise.

“Referees have taken two and a half years without getting their salaries, we’re sorry for that, but the federation is working upon it,” Kayiwa noted.

“The only tested referees will be allowed to officiate the forthcoming season and those who didn’t make it in the fitness test will not be considered,” Kayiwa said.

Auma Lydia, the Eastern Region delegate, encouraged the public to allow the girl child to referee  because the number of women refereeing is still down.

“As women referees, the biggest challenge we face is that men want to test our fitness as they see us fit during game time, and this can destroy our plans,” Auma noted.

The Eastern Regional League  is expected to get underway in either November or December 2023 and the referees who were tested in all categories will be ready to officiate Big league games and Regional leagues.