FIFA technical director Jean-Michel Benezet confirmed the appointment this month and Fiji FA chief executive officer Bob Kumar says the news is a significant development for the national body.
“This is very positive for Fiji FA,” Kumar says.
“It will bring us into the limelight and is a testimony to the fact that we have very capable people within the association.
“Chandra can now travel around Oceania or other regions to conduct FIFA courses. He will bring back a lot of knowledge which will no doubt be transferred back to our local referees here.”
Segran feels honoured to have received the appointment and is eager to fly the Fiji flag in other parts of the world.
“I would like to thank Fiji FA President Dr. Muhammed Shams-UD-Dean Sahu Khan, OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas and Massimo Raveino, the FIFA referee development officer for Oceania, and will be proud to represent my beloved country around the world. This is a major boost to my career.”
The new FIFA instructor was in action earlier this month at the OFC Futsal Championship in Suva where he acted as one of the referee assessors for OFC.
His appointment is the latest positive result of the confederation’s Refereeing Assistance Programme (RAP).
OFC places great importance on developing world-class referees and this has been strongly supported by FIFA through its funding of the programme.
Under the supervision of Raveino, referee instructor Neil Poloso and fitness trainer Kader Touati, the programme is helping to create a more organised, professional approach to refereeing in the Pacific.
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