Baghdad: A FIFA-supervised training course for football referee instructors in West Asia commenced on Thursday in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, with the participation of 33 instructors from various Asian countries. The course will run until May 11 and is designed to improve the skills of referee instructors and update their knowledge on the latest developments in the Laws of the Game and modern teaching methods.

According to Qatar News Agency, the program covers several key topics, including the latest FIFA applications of the rules. The course is attended by notable figures such as the Chairman of the Referees Committee of the Qatar Football Association and Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Hani Taleb Ballan, President of the Iraq Football Association, Adnan Darjal, and Referee Development Director for West Asia, Ismail Al Hafi. Participants also include instructors from various countries, such as Qataris Abdullah Al Balushi and Hassan Al Thawadi.

In a press statement, Ballan described the course as a crucial referee training program, emphasizing its role in facilitating the exchange of experiences among participants through discussions that support educational goals and knowledge enhancement. He also stressed the importance of accessing the latest FIFA educational materials used for referee training and development.