Fadhil Yunus
The Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) has reiterated their desire to expand the pool of referees to meet the rising number of competitions in the Sultanate.
FABD President Pengiran Haji Matusin bin Pengiran Haji Matasan expressed this in a speech during a tahlil ceremony organised by the Brunei Darussalam Football Referees Association (PPNBD) recently.
The president said FABD is concerned about the quantity of referees and they need to increase the number due to an increasing number of competitions. He added, “We are not just running the Brunei Super League, we will also be organising the Youth League and the Futsal League.”
Former players and public have also been encouraged to apply for the role of a referee.
Pengiran Haji Matusin proposed to formulate specific strategies. “We want football to develop and progress. We have to abide by the Statutes of FIFA and AFC to organise the national league, the Youth League, and the Futsal League. In time, perhaps even a Beach Football League.”
The president shared that the FABD Strategic Plan 2020-2035 will be published and made available during FABD’s 8th Congress on May 20.
Pengiran Haji Matusin also touched on the importance to include Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
“We may have to invest in this new technology. Both FIFA and AFC are now increasingly emphasising the importance of VAR. It may be expensive but, we will eventually have to invest,” he said.
The president also informed PPNBD members that the FABD Executive Committee is looking into the revision of the referees match fees. Meanwhile, PPNBD also discussed their future directions to better serve the aspirations of Brunei football and futsal moving forward.
PPNBD President Haji Hamidon bin Haji Md Zain, FABD executive commitee members as well as football and futsal referees were also present.
