The seminar, which spanned over five days, saw the Elite Futsal Referees participate in both theoretical and practical training sessions in a bid to enhance their skills and uphold the AFC’s ambition of becoming the leading Confederation in the world.
During the course of the Seminar, the participants engaged in several activities that tested their understanding of the Laws of the Game, fitness levels and analytical abilities.
In order to acclimatise the new entrants, the first day of the programme was exclusively reserved for the newly appointed AFC Elite Futsal Referees which saw six men and five women match officials from eight Member Associations (MAs) participate in a day-long classroom as well as practical training sessions.
For the remaining days, approximately 50 match officials from 21 MAs of the Confederation underwent several tests that judged their theoretical knowledge as well as their physical fitness.
The evaluation process included examining the various aspects of the Laws of the Game, such as uniformity and the latest amendments that have been introduced, as well as analysing case studies and match incidents, thereby preparing the referees for a multitude of situations that could arise on the field.
Keeping up with the latest technological advancements, the seminar also familiarised the participants with the Video Support (VS) technology, initially in the classroom before it was utilised during practical training in the final two days of the programme.
Introduced at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021, the VS aims to further support the referees by allowing them to review their decisions on a pitch-side screen.
To ensure the smooth execution of the Seminar, the activities took place under the supervision of four technical and two fitness instructors of the AFC. Furthermore, the officials also had the opportunity to learn from FIFA Futsal Referee Instructor Pedro Angel Galan Nieto.
On the final day of the programme, the match officials were also provided with details on upcoming competitions to ensure that they were equipped with all relevant information for future assignments.