Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) referee, Sheba Jefferson advised Nigeria referees to attend international refresher courses in order to get invite from neighbouring countries to officiate at championships.
Jefferson said this after the U21 Men’s Africa Volleyball Nations Cup held in Abuja.
Jefferson advocated a situation in which Nigeria will have more top-rated officials for the spot at home and on the foreign scene.
She said lack of regular national and international volleyball competitions are part of the reasons Nigeria does not have more officials during continental competitions.
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She said: “Our referees have not been given opportunities on the continent because of lack of championships. In volleyball, once your teams are going out, you must have accompanying referees.
“I’m sure with this Nation’s Cup held in Nigeria, the country’s referees will be motivated to attend courses whenever they hear of it. It has taken a long time that the country has hosted such an event. So with this competition, the referees have been challenged” she said
“The competition was on high level because I saw some talented Nigeria players coming up. I hope they will concentrate in the future”
Jefferson, who is a member of the Nigerian Army, is the only female out of the five referees from the county recognised by Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB).
