The program will last for a week and involves 20 referees
Seychelles are hosting a referee training course, taking part at the Maison Football with the aim of selecting one or two to become FIFA beach soccer officials.
The week-long training course, organised by the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF), was opened by the Vice-President, Dolor Ernesta, in the presence of Secretary General Georges Bibi, chairman of the Seychelles beach soccer Philip Sinon, facilitator Benchabane Lakhdar, FIFA beach soccer referee instructor from France.
Apart from identifying potential officials to become FIFA beach soccer referees for the region and Africa, the aim of the one-week training is also to upgrade the knowledge and skills of local referees especially in line with the new rules and regulations of the game.
The beach soccer refereeing course is the second referees’ course to be hosted by the SFF after last week’s Education and Learning Platform ‒ a referee training related to the use of the video assistant referee (VAR) conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Mr Ernesta noted that it will be a cause for celebration if the country does get its first two internationally-recognised beach soccer referees to help promote beach soccer in Seychelles, as well as inspiring younger generations.
Mr Sinon then commented that if Seychelles manages to claim its first two internationally recognised beach soccer referees, it could boost the country’s chances of winning the bid to host the 2023 Beach Soccer World Cup.