This year’s Flying Officer’s football tournament scheduled to start on October 10 will serve as a pre-season for some of the top women referees in the Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL).
This was disclosed by Barrister Paul Edeh, the Chairman of Ratels Sports Foundation and sponsor of the annual tournament which is organised to immortalize late Tolulope Arotile, the first female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigerian Army.
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While addressing sports journalists in Abuja, the proprietor of NWPL side, Naija Ratels said following series of complaints in the past about bad officiating, this year’s tournament will be officiated by some of the top referees in the women’s league.
Edeh also said, apart from credible officiating, the referees would use the opportunity to prepare for the 2021/2021 NWPL season.
“This edition of the Flying Officer’s Cup will witness some many new things. Unlike in the past, only top referees in the NWPL will handle the matches.
“We want to give the referees the opportunity to have their own pre-season. Already we are discussing with the leadership of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) to get the referees on board.
“In the past, some of the teams complained about bad officiating so we have to address their complaints for the good of this highly rated competition,” he said.
A total of 16 clubs including one each from Ghana and Benin Republic will compete for the N1m prize money at stake.