Leemisa Thuseho

THE Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) hosted a five-day basic referees’ course which ended yesterday.

Thirty-three referees took the course, which was facilitated by technical instructors Tšeliso Mosehle and Moepi Moepi and physical instructor, Selloane Mphuthing.

LeFA media officer, Mikia Kalati, said the course was a continuation of the association’s introductory refereeing clinics held across the country earlier this year.

“This is was a basic course for new referees who are from the grass roots levels and it was preceded by introductory clinics which were held in the districts early this year,” Kalati said.

“After that clinics, the association resolved to call some of the referees to undergo a basic course to prepare them to start their refereeing journey and be registered under the associations referring structures.”

After the course, the participants are now eligible to officiate in schools’ competitions and in the C Division.

Based on their respective performances in the next two years, the participants will then qualify for the next level, the intermediate course.

Kalati added that the association is in a drive to capacitate all personnel in all its departments to ensure that they can fulfil their roles effectively. LeFA’s initiatives have already started benefiting the country, Kalati said.

“The association always strives to host as many courses as possible for the referees to enhance their standards and this is working for us. Our referees are now being recognised and considered for big international events and Souru Phatšoane, who is fresh from the Tokyo Olympics, and others are clear examples.

“Even now, we have female referees officiating at the ongoing COSAFA Women’s Champions’ League tournament and some will soon officiate in the COSAFA Women’s Championship next month. All these officials started at the lowest level and through these kinds of courses, they are now top referees,” Kalati concluded.