SINGAPORE, 12 FEBRUARY 2019 – The inaugural Football Association of Singapore (FAS) Referees’ Connect was held last evening at the SportSG Auditorium. A new initiative by the FAS, the event is a platform for the FAS Referees Committee, Department and all FAS referees to come together.

 

The session also doubled up as a mass briefing for the referees, where the FAS’ direction and upcoming plans for the referees’ fraternity was shared, in preparation for the upcoming season. The briefing also covered details such as the referees’ code of conduct, refereeing pathway and course structure.

 

Mr John Chia, Deputy Chairman of the FAS Referees Committee, opened the session, taking the opportunity to stress the importance of fitness and life-long learning to the referees in attendance.

 

He said: “The Referees Committee alongside the Department and instructors will continue to innovate in order to stay on top of the game to increase the capacity of Singapore refereeing. We are also looking to forge a strategic partnership with a regional Member Association this year to benefit our fraternity.”

 

Mr Haiyum Jaafar, Head, Football Science and Medicine, was invited to the session as well, to give the referees tips on proper nutrition and maintaining their fitness throughout the season.

 

To close the session, the FIFA Referees and Assistant Referees were presented their 2019 FIFA Badges at the briefing.

 

FIFA Referee Muhammad Taqi bin Jahari and Assistance Referee Ronnie Koh were also acknowledged for their performance at the 2019 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup, and presented tokens of recognition by Mr Chia.

 

Mr Chia concluded: “An organisation is made up of people. Where there are people, communication is of utmost importance. Keeping in touch is the key to trust and a great relationship. The refereeing community is small and we will endeavour to build an open community where every single referee shall have an equal opportunity to thrive.”