Cross section of guests at the event

THE Rivers State (Football) Referees Council, has been commended for her steadfastness in uplifting the standard of officiating and administration since the inception of Dennis Charles Dima-led leadership.

Speaking to Journalists at the sideline of the Annual General Meeting of the council held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Joseph Cole, Chairman Christal Stars Football Club of Port Harcourt said within one year in office, the incumbent chairman has brought about tremendous improvement within the state football referees council.

”The charisma and method of leadership of the chairman of Rivers State Football Referees Council, I choose to be very close the council because he has the vision and passion for the leadership as a result of that we are giving him the full support.

Joseph Cole, who is the Chairman of Christal Stars Football Club of Port Harcourt was honoured with that award of “Excellent in Support of Football Development” by the council expressed delight for the award said it will encourage him to do more is same regard.

Dignitaries on the high table

”Am pleasantly surprised for this recognition and award it a welcome development. Its not only when people die, they will go and eulogize him. When the person is alive its also proper to honor and recognize the person. Because apart from, encouraging the person to do more you also encourage others to emulate his visions.

My life is built around development and advancement and progress of humanity that is my focus as a human being. Whether am recognized its part of me, I always close any towards youth development.”

On his take over the performance of Referees in Nigeria football, he posited ”Nigeria Referees are the products of their society, they are from Nigeria, they are products of a failed system. So many things are wrong in Nigeria, its a systemic issue. The anomalies in the Nigeria system has to be addressed into the performance of Nigeria Football Referees, because its applicable in Nigeria football administration”.

Football administration in Nigeria has issues and is reflected in all the aspect in our football system. For the Super Eagle coach, as far as am concerned those foreign names they are mentioning, if they can hire foreign with the best in depth knowledge, let them use our local content.”

Mr. Cole addressing Sports Journalists at the event

Joseph Cole, former player and renowned football administrator argued that Nigeria has the greater number of foreign based players in Africa that are playing in best leagues in Europe and other parts if the world and much is expected from them.

”In Nigeria we have the best of player to build the best national team in the continent. Nigeria has the highest number of players that are playing in first divisions clubs in Europe and other parts of the world. If you employ competent coach for the super Eagles with this same player you will be amazed of their performance”. Joesph Cole reiterated.

Speaking also, Apostle Dokubo Dabo Ere, who represented the President  of Nigeria (Football) Referees Association Alhaji Sani Zubairu (FIFA Rtd) as Special Guest at the event  said that  ”Mr. President in solidly behind the set target of the council and he is prepared to see those set target come into manifestations and the height he wants to reach, he is willing to enhance the set goals.”

He reiterated further that ”Rivers State Football Referees Council has to be reckoned with in every aspect of football refereeing and administration, from what I observed here at the AGM today as the representative of the President of Nigeria Football Referees Association NRA Alhaji Sani Zubairu (FIFA Retired) as the special guest, am going to report to him accordingly”. Dokubo Dabo Ere expressed.

Dima Dennis Charles, chairman Rivers State Football Referees Council harped on the essence of the days events; “Today is the 2024 annual general meeting of the council. Its basically reports of the stewardship to the public and our members. At the end of meeting the societys delegates (you know is a delegate meeting) are happy with the progress of the council in our one year in office.” He stated.

He enumerated some of the achievement of his administration one year in office.

”My administration under one, there has been tremendous improvement. In Rivers state we have raised the bar of administration and improved on the development of our Referees. We have established football refereeing academy. Our vision and mission is to improve the standard of refereeing and by extension standard of officiating in Nigeria” Dennis Charles concluded.