Retired FIFA-badged referee, Calistus Chukwudi Chukwujekwu has disclosed that many Nigerian referees will, in a short while, have direct access to Video Assistant Referee (VAR) equipment, which will be brought in from Cote d’Ivoire.
Chukwujekwu disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Sports247, during which he pointed out that the impending arrival of VAR equipment from the francophone West African country will be made possible through special efforts embarked upon by top shots of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
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While thanking the tenure of NFF president, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for making it possible, the former match arbiter, who is now a top-rated referees instructor, added in the long interview, which has been serialised in three parts by Sports247, that a cheaper video system has also been recommended to all countries by world football governing body, FIFA.
Chukwujekwu disclosed, “Nowadays, there is a video support system, and FIFA has instructed that every nation should get it. This is because of controversies that often occur during matches.
“It’s true that video assistant referee is expensive in terms of equipment, installation and maintenance, but football video support is a new one that can be used with one monitor and a few cameras.”
The erudite refereeing guru, who equally revealed how he was introduced to the refereeing vocation by a volleyball coach while he was a student at a seminary in Onitsha, and how he overcame several intrigues to become one of Nigeria’s most acclaimed refs ever, gave furrher details of the NFF’s ongoing efforts at bringing technology into match officiating in the country.
He added, “I am happy that the NFF is moving faster. They are taking advantage, because CAF has provided in West Africa Zone B some equipment for VAR that’s located in Cote d’Ivoire with which we can train referees.
“In line with that, the NFF is thinking of using a van to move that equipment to Nigeria and have the opportunity of training more VAR officials.”
Chukwujekwu, who went on to affirm that he has never for a day regretted being a referee, despite admitting that he faced ill-blood at several points along the way, further cited a major benefit that Nigeria would gain once the VAR equipment arrives as planned.
He submitted: “The advantage of this is that, very soon, knowledge of VAR would be a crucial part of the selection of referees for different levels of tournaments in Nigeria.”
*Check details of this revelation and lots more in the three-part serial of Calistus Chukwudi Chukwujekwu’s Story, which has been splashed at various points by Sports247 and placed specially for your delight.
