The OFC referee trios bound for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa have passed their fitness testing conducted by FIFA in Kuala Lumpur this week. Mike Hester (NZL) and his assistants Jan Hintz (NZL) and Tevita Makasini (TON) as well as referee Peter O’Leary (NZL) and his assistants Brent Best (NZL) and Matthew Taro (SOL) passed with flying colours, and have been commended by OFC President Reynald Temarii.
President Temarii says it is a momentous day for Oceania and has acknowledged all those involved in the referee development programme.
“I would like to congratulate our trios for their hard work to achieve these exceptional results,” said President Temarii.
“Representation at the FIFA World Cup has been the objective of the Referee Assistance Programme since it began in 2008. I wish to thank the OFC team led by Massimo Raveino, Neil Poloso and Kader Touati for making this happen.”
“I also extend my congratulations to the national referee committees and Member Association instructors for their assistance in the preparation of these referees.”
For Hester, O’Leary and their respective assistants, the road to the FIFA World Cup began in 2007 when an initial group of 54 trios of referees were selected from all over the world. At the same time, the Refereeing Assistance Programme (RAP) was established by FIFA to help identify and prepare referees for the tournament.
Both OFC trios performed with distinction at FIFA tournaments last year including appointments for the knock-out stages of the FIFA U-17 and FIFA U-20 World Cups.
Source: OFC Media
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