Segran is the lone member from the Oceania region appointed in the panel. FIFA technical director Jean-Michel Benezet confirmed the appointment.
Fiji FA chief executive officer Bob Kumar says the news was an overwhelming one for the national football body.
“We are really happy and this is positive news for Fiji FA. This will bring us in the limelight and it is a testimony that we have very capable people,” Kumar said.
“Segran has been appointed in the panel and can now travel around the Oceania or other regions to be conduct FIFA courses. He will bring back a lot of knowledge which no doubt will be transformed back to our local referees here.”
Segran on the other hand says it was an honour for him to get the appointment and is eager to fly the Fiji flag around the world.
“I would like to thank Fiji FA President Dr. Muhammed Shams-UD-Dean Sahu Khan, Tai Nicholas the General Secretary of Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and Massimo Raveino the FIFA OFC referees development officer for having the confidence in me and nominating to FIFA from Oceania. I’m proud to represent my beloved country around the world. This is a major boost to my career and I would like to thank Fiji FA,” he said.
Segran has put the excitement on hold at the moment as he has a task at hand during the 2011 OFC Futsal World Cup qualifiers in Suva from next week where he will be one of the referees assessors.
FIFA course upskills referees
FIFA member association referees, instructors and assessors course concluded last week at the Dr. M.S Sahu Khan National Football Academy in Ba.
The course was conducted by FIFA instructors Massimo Raveino and Neil Poloso with the help of local instructors Intiaz Shah, Fiji Football referees association president Mohammed Kazim, Bal Ram Nair, Shalen Kumar, Paresh Kishore, Mukesh Chand and referees director Chandra Segran.
“FIFA’s idea is to utilise our local instructors and that is why they worked closely with Massimo and Neil to conduct this course,” Segran said.
“The referee course was a follow up of last year’s. The 20 plus referees went to various practical and theory sessions including a fitness test which was conducted by Rakesh Varman and Dina Mani.
“The assessors course covered in assessing the referees during matches. To guide them on the positives and negatives in referring for them to become good referees,” Segran said.
On conclusion of the course each participant received a participation certificate. The Fiji FA referees director believes courses of this nature were vital in the development of local referees.
“Learning never ends and this sort of courses no doubt will make our referees better,” he said.
Fiji FA MEDIA
