NPFL: "I think our Referees scored over 85 percent"- Davidson Owumi says
Following the official end of the first stanza of the Nigeria Premier Football League, the league's body Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi has given his assessment on officiating on the league, giving it an excellent mark, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Owumi believes there were improvements in the officiating in the league matches played so far despite there were few occasions of errors.
“After 185 matches, we probably had issues with less than 15 and in terms of percentage, I think our Referees scored over 85 percent which represents excellence.
“We are not unmindful that football is now technologically driven for players training and match officiating where the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) now assist Referees correct human errors”
Owumi further disclosed the efforts of the league management team to make officiating better in the 2023/2024 season while speaking with the NPFL Media.
“We worked in perfect sync with the NFF Referees Appointment Committee to organise trainings for selected members of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) and those who have so far been adjudged to have performed poorly were delisted for now”.
He spoke about the improvement of the welfare of the referees, a situation a described as unprecedented.
“We not only increased their travel allowances and honorarium but also ensured their bank accounts were credited before they travel. This is unprecedented in the history of the league”.
Owumi continued on the strides achieved by the league in improving officiating on match days.
“Last season, we enshrined points deduction in the Framework and Rules for any club whose fans physically attacked our Referees and this season, we went a step further to mandate all home teams to provide Special Escort Security Squad for Match officials.
“The only breach was recorded in Gombe and Gombe United were ducked three points and three goals.
“So, overall we have made it possible for our officiating to improve considerably and would continue to explore opportunities to attain global best rating. It’s work in progress”, Owumi concluded.
Uche Dozie
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