Makasini became the first Tongan official to take part in a World Cup match when he acted as assistant referee for the Group B clash between Korea Republic and Greece at Port Elizabeth on June 12.
The Tonga Football Association (TFA) is now hoping to capitalise on his success by producing more referees capable of stepping up to that level.
To help this come to fruition, a five-day workshop is being held this week in Vava’u, one of the country’s outer islands.
The programme is led by TFA referees development officer Tevita Vea, who will introduce the laws of the game and some basic refereeing techniques to 20 participants. The week’s work will finish with a fitness test on Friday.
“It’s important to note that this course can only qualify the officials to begin refereeing at juniors football and the youth U-15 competitions,” Vea says.
“To become an active match official, the participants need to enrol in the Tonga FA referees Level 2 and Level 1 programmes to develop their practical skills and theoretical knowledge.”
The TFA referees development programmes have three levels: Level 3, the introduction to laws, interpretations and officiating; Level 2, the development of basic skills and advanced officiating; and Level 1, the development of senior officiating – commitment to excellence.
“I do believe it is time to take the development programmes for the TFA officials further,” Vea says.
“Many training sessions will be held with a skills-based approach to training. The most important factor is the development of a professionally-designed programme that will contribute to the enhancement of the skills of the Tonga referees and for all officials to receive the same training.”
Story and photo courtesy of TFA Media.