FKF to prioritise improvement of refereeing standards
By investing in the physical and professional development of referees, the federation aims to raise officiating standards, ensuring fair play and integrity in the sport
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has reiterated its commitment to improving football officiating standards across the country amidst a series of bad calls and complaints that have rocked football in the country.
As part of this initiative, a three-day Physical Endurance Test (PET) for Division One referees has been ongoing at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret. The training ends today after what has been an intense session. Over 100 officials have been taken through the paces.
The PET programme is designed to rigorously assess and enhance referees’ physical fitness, ensuring they meet the high-performance demands required for officiating league matches. This initiative highlights FKF’s dedication to developing top-tier match officials and fostering professionalism in Kenyan football.
FKF President Hussein Mohammed emphasised the significance of the PET programme, stating: “We recognise that officiating has been a major challenge in our leagues. This process is crucial in identifying and equipping the right referees to oversee our matches. In recent seasons, we’ve seen increasing dissatisfaction from clubs due to inconsistent officiating. As a federation, we acknowledge these challenges and are committed to implementing measures that will enhance the quality of refereeing in the country.”
National Referees Committee Chairman Caleb Amwayi also highlighted the importance of the ongoing training.
“We are going back to the basics to strengthen officiating standards and improve referee performance. With the unwavering support of FKF NEC and the president, we are confident in delivering quality officiating across our leagues. There have been challenges and we want to admit that but we are working to rectify such issues that encroach our football. However, one key thing is fitness levels must be up to par for our officials.”
The successful execution of the PET programme at Kipchoge Keino Stadium underscores FKF’s commitment to excellence in football officiating. By investing in the physical and professional development of referees, the federation aims to raise officiating standards, ensuring fair play and integrity in the sport.
