Former President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria, HFN, Dr Lanre Glover today described as a “as a positive idea” the federation’s involvement of the Confederation of Africa Handball, CAHB referees in the 2022 Prudent Energy Handball Premier League at the Indoor Hall, Package B of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
According to him, the indigenous referees stand to learn from the International Handball Federation, IHF graded referees.
“It will provide an element of neutrality and fairness resulting in acceptable decisions. The presence of CAHB Chief referee affords an opportunity for the Nigerian referees that have distinguished themselves during the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League to be invited for CAHB Competitions”, Dr Lanre Glover told page3news.com.ng in a chat, as he expressed surprise that the local referees were resentful.
“The presence of CAHB Chief referee affords an opportunity for the Nigerian referees that have distinguished themselves during the Prudent Championship to be invited for CAHB Competitions.
“To the best of my knowledge, it is a positive move that will yield positive results”, Dr Glover added.
He was emphatic when he said that “for years, Nigeria has not had CAHB graded referees not to talk of IHF referees. To the best of my knowledge, it is a positive move that will yield positive results”.
The referees’ resentment was that no any foreign country invites Nigerian officials to their competition.
HFN imported two sets of referees – two male, El Mouniri Acharaf and Chouraki Mohamed from Egypt as well as two female, Aisha Odou and Olga Namadjia from Gabon and the Confederation of Africa Handball, CAHB head of Referee from Cote d’Ivoire to spice up the level of officiating in this year’s Prudent Energy Handball Premier League, page3news.com.ng reports.
Some of the indigenous referees have argued that they would have been happy if part of the amount spent in bringing in the foreign referees is added to their allowances.
Reacting, the Chairman HFN Competition and Organising Commission, Barrister Emmanuel Akhigbe said the federation has in the previous championships handled one complaint too many from participating states and clubs on gross incompetence of the referees.
“Aside some of our referees being old, we decided to invite the foreign referees to spice up the Prudent Energy Handball Premier League. We are really disturbed and tired of complaints and protests by the states and clubs in our previous championships. This time, we decided to have a change by inviting these referees from Egypt and Gabon whom we believe, are much more experienced than ours to see the difference, and could add more value to the league.
“We also invited the Confederation of Africa Handball, CAHB head of referees from Cote d’Ivoire, who will organise a refresher course for our referees during this 2022 Prudent Energy Premier League”.
