NFA referee recruitment culminates

The 3rd edition of the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) Referee Recruitment cum Upgradation Course 2024, concluded on Sunday at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima. This event, organized in collaboration with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), was hosted by the Kohima District Football Referees Association (KDFRA) and commenced on June 17.

At the closing ceremony, president Kohima District Football Association (KDFA), Mhasimhalie Matthew Yhome, emphasized on the importance of fostering a collaborative relationship among football associations, coaches, and referees to collectively promote football in Nagaland.

“Today, in the football family, only the association will not bring positive results. The associations, coaches, and referees have to work in unison,” Yhome stated, urging everyone to support each other for mutual growth.

Yhome extended his gratitude to AIFF Referee Instructor and Zonal Referee Development Officer (ZRDO) for the North East Zone, Joychandra Singh, for nurturing national football referee Mechievilie Yashü from Nagaland.

He expressed hope that Singh’s efforts would continue to yield more national-level referees from the state, helping Nagaland gain prominence within the AIFF. In his address, Joychandra Singh highlighted his achievement of producing a male National referee from Nagaland and set his next goal to develop a female National referee from the state.

President of the Nagaland Football Coaches Association (NFCA), Roko Angami, addressed the new referees, reminding them of their crucial role on the field. “As a referee, you are the king in the ground,” Angami said, urging them to adhere to football laws and maintain fairness and honesty in their decisions, leaving no room for bias or favoritism.

Head of Referees (HOR) in Nagaland, Kevingutuo Sekhose, also spoke at the function, underscoring the importance of the event. The programme was chaired by course coordinator and general secretary KDFRA, Medozevi Punyü, while Level 6 candidate and KDFRA member, Kuzolie Neihu, proposed the vote of thanks and active senior referee candidate and KDFRA member, Neivikhoto Vielie, offered a thanksgiving prayer.